The genioglossus (geniohyoglossus) is a flat triangular muscle that originates from the inner surface of the front of the mandible (lower jaw) and the hyoid bone and inserts in the tongue, from the apex (tip) to the base. There are two genioglossus muscles, one on each side of the tongue. When the two muscle contract at the same time, the tongue is protruded by its whole foundation being pulled forward. This muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve. The
genioglossus, the styloglossus, the palatoglossus and the hyoglossus work together to move the tongue. Research Genioglossus
The glossal muscles are the muscles of the tongue. The tongue is predominantly a muscular organ, which has a great capacity for both slow and rapid shape changes. The muscular fibres of the tongue run in various directions. These fibres are divided into two sets, the extrinsic muscles and the intrinsic muscles. The extrinsic glossal muscles connect the tongue to the bones around it (the mandible in front, the hyoid bone below, the base of the skull behind, and the palate above). They take up a large space within the arc of the lower jaw. There are four sets of extrinsic muscles on each side of the head. They are the hypoglossus, styloglossus, platoglossus, and genioglossus muscle. These muscles work together in a coordinated way to bring about bulk movements of the tongue. Within the tongue are the intrinsic glossal muscles, which control the detailed shape changes of the organ. The fibres of the intrinsic muscles are grouped into four assemblages: two running from the front to the back of the tongue, one transversely and the last
vertically. Research Glossal Muscles
The hyoglossus is a thin, flat strap of muscle located on each side of the tongue. It originates from the side of the wishbone-shaped hyoid bone in the throat and passes vertically to be inserted inside of the tongue. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (motor) and the lingual nerve (sensory) and supplied by the lingual artery. When the two hyoglossus muscles contract, they depress the tongue and turn the sides down. The genioglossus, the styloglossus, the palatoglossus and the hyoglossus work together to move the tongue. Research Hyoglossus
The palatoglossus muscle (glossopalatinus) originates from the soft palate and inserts on the side of the tonge. Humans have one on each side of the tongue. The two palatoglossus muscles work together to raise the back of the tongue. These two muscle are innervated by the pharyngeal plexus. The genioglossus, the styloglossus, the
palatoglossus and the hyoglossus work together to move the tongue. Research Palatoglossus
The styloglossus is a small and short muscle. One is located on each side of the tongue. The muscles link the sides of the tongue to the base of the skull via the bony styloid process, extending downward from the temporal bones. Contraction of these two muscles pulls the tongue back and up. The genioglossus, the styloglossus, the palatoglossus and the hyoglossus work together to move the tongue. Research Styloglossus
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Genioglossus
