Transversus linguae muscle - Oral cavity - Tongue - e-Anatomy
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Transversus linguae muscle

Musculus transversus linguae

  • Synonym: Transverse muscle of tongue
  • Related terms: Transverse muscle of tongue

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

Transverse linguae muscle

Origin

Median fibrous septum of the tongue

Insertion

Lateral margins of the tongue

Location

Deep within the tongue, interlacing with fibres of the vertical muscle

Blood supply

Lingual artery

Innervation

Hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII)

Action

Narrows and elongates the tongue by drawing its sides toward the midline

The transvers linguae muscle works synergistically with the vertical muscle, which flattens and broadens the tongue — together they refine tongue shape and control, which is critical for articulation, bolus control, and precise tongue positioning during speech and swallowing.

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/

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