Styloglossus

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Styloglossus
Styloglossus.png
Extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Left side. (Styloglossus visible at center top.)
Gray1020.png
Coronal section of tongue, showing intrinsic muscles. (Styloglossus labeled at center left.)
Latin musculus styloglossus
Gray's subject #242 1130
Origin Styloid process of temporal bone
Insertion    tip and sides of tongue
Artery
Nerve Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Actions retraction and elevation of tongue

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.

Contents

[edit] 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).

[edit] 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.












[edit] Additional images

[edit] External links

This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.

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