Styloglossus

Styloglossus

Extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Left side. (Styloglossus visible at center top.)

Coronal section of tongue, showing intrinsic muscles. (Styloglossus labeled at center left.)
Details
Latin musculus styloglossus
Styloid process of temporal bone
tip and sides of tongue
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Actions retraction and elevation of tongue
Identifiers
Gray's p.1130
Dorlands
/Elsevier		 m_22/12550968
TA A05.1.04.105
FMA 46692
Anatomical terms of muscle

The Styloglossus, the shortest and smallest of the three styloid muscles, arises from the anterior and lateral surfaces of the styloid process near its apex, and from the stylomandibular ligament.

Passing downward and forward between the internal and external carotid arteries, it divides upon the side of the tongue near its dorsal surface, blending with the fibers of the Longitudinalis inferior in front of the Hyoglossus; the other, oblique, overlaps the Hyoglossus and decussates with its fibers.

Innervation

The styloglossus is innervated by the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) like all muscles of the tongue except palatoglossus which is innervated by the Pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve (CN X).

Action

The styloglossus draws up the sides of the tongue to create a trough for swallowing. As a pair they also aid in retracting the tongue.

Additional images

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

External links