Chondroglossus muscle

Origin: Lesser cornu and body of the hyoid bone

Insertion: Intrinsic muscular fibers of the tongue

Nerve: Hypoglossal nerve

Action: Depresses tongue (some consider this muscle to be part ofhyoglossus)

Description:
The Chondroglossus is sometimes described as a part of the Hyoglossus, but is separated from it by fibers of the Genioglossus, which pass to the side of the pharynx. It is about 2 cm. long, and arises from the medial side and base of the lesser cornu and contiguous portion of the body of the hyoid bone, and passes directly upward to blend with the intrinsic muscular fibers of the tongue, between the Hyoglossus and Genioglossus.
A small slip of muscular fibers is occasionally found, arising from the cartilago triticea in the lateral hyothyroid ligament and entering the tongue with the hindermost fibers of the Hyoglossus.