Question #254
Considering the tongue muscles:
The tongue muscles can be divided into intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic muscles are found within the bulk of the tongue itself and alter the tongues shape. The extrinsic muscles have separate attachments:
- Genioglossus attaches to the mandible and protrudes the tongue.
- Hyoglossus attaches to the hyoid bone and retracts and depresses the tongue.
- Styloglossus attaches to the styloid process and retracts and elevates the tongue.
- Palatoglossus attaches to the palatine aponeurosis. Its role is more important in depressing the palate rather than moving the tongue although it does cause some elevation. In addition palatoglossus is the only tongue muscle not to be supplied by the hypoglossal nerve, instead being innervated by the pharyngeal plexus.
