Muscles of tongue - Visible Human Project - Head - e-Anatomy
View the module

Muscles of tongue

Musculi linguae

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The tongue is a highly mobile muscular organ composed of intrinsic and extrinsic muscles. Together, these muscles of tongue control its shape and position —essential for speech, mastication, swallowing, and taste.

All muscles of tongue muscles are supplied by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), except the palatoglossus, which is innervated by the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) via the pharyngeal plexus.

A. Extrinsic Muscles

These are paired muscles that originate from outside the tongue and insert into it, moving the tongue as a whole (protrusion, retraction, elevation, depression).

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Action

Genioglossus

Superior genial tubercle of mandible

Entire length of ventral surface of tongue

Protrudes the tongue; unilateral contraction deviates tongue to opposite side

Hyoglossus

Greater horn and body of hyoid bone

Side of tongue

Retracts and depresses the tongue

Styloglossus

Styloid process

Side of tongue

Retracts and elevates the tongue

Palatoglossus

Palatine aponeurosis of soft palate

Side of tongue

Elevates posterior tongue; draws soft palate downward; closes oropharyngeal isthmus during swallowing

B. Intrinsic Muscles

These are paired as well and originate and insert within the tongue itself. They alter the shape of the tongue rather than its position (lengthening, shortening, curling, flattening). Together, they coordinate precise movements essential for articulation, deglutition, and taste.

Muscle

Fibre orientation

Action

Superior longitudinal

Along dorsum, just below mucosa

Shortens tongue; curls apex upward

Inferior longitudinal

Along underside of tongue

Shortens tongue; curls apex downward

Transverse

From median septum to lateral margin

Narrows and elongates tongue

Vertical

From dorsum to inferior surface

Flattens and broadens tongue

Clinical Correlations

  • Hypoglossal nerve lesion: → Tongue deviates toward the affected side on protrusion (due to unopposed action of contralateral genioglossus). → Muscle wasting (atrophy) on the same side.

  • Testing: Ask patient to stick out tongue and observe for deviation or fasciculations.

References

  • Gray, H. (2016) Gray’s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 41st edn. Edited by S. Standring. New York: Elsevier. Chapter 31: Oral Cavity, pp. 511-513.

  • Dotiwala AK, Samra NS. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Tongue. [Updated 2023 Aug 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507782/

Gallery