Muscles of the Tongue

hyoglossus

hyoglossus origin

Greater horn and body of hyoid bone.

hyoglossus insertion

Side of tongue.

hyoglossus action

Depresses tongue and draws down its sides.

hyoglossus innervation

Hypoglossal (XII) nerve.

palatoglossus

palatoglossus origin

Anterior surface of soft palate.

palatoglossus insertion

Side of tongue.

palatoglossus action

Elevates posterior portion of tongue and draws soft palate down on tongue.

palatoglossus innervation

Pharyngeal plexus, which contains axons from the vagus (X) nerve.

genioglossus

genioglossus origin

Mandible.

genioglossus insertion

Undersurface of tongue and hyoid bone.

genioglossus action

Depresses tongue and thrusts it anteriorly (protraction).

genioglossus innervation

Hypoglossal (XII) nerve.

styloglossus

styloglossus origin

Styloid process of temporal bone.

styloglossus insertion

Side and undersurface of tongue.

styloglossus action

Elevates tongue and draws it posteriorly (retraction).

styloglossus innervation

Hypoglossal (XII) nerve.