Styloglossus Muscle

The styloglossus muscle is one of the extrinsic tongue muscles and  is the shortest and smallest muscle from the Styloid muscle group.

Styloglossus Muscle

Origin

The styloglossus muscle emerges via the anterior margin of the styloid process near its apex, and through the stylohyoid ligament.

Insertion

Styloglossus curves forwards and medially, and is attached into the lateral as well as inferior side of the tongue.

Its fibres extend in order to intersect crosswise with those of the palatoglossus and hyoglossus muscles under the submaxillary gland along with the mucous membrane of the tongue.

Nerve supply

Hypoglossal nerve supplies styloglossus muscle.

Actions

• It draws back the tongue upwards and backwards.
• It is antagonist to the genioglossus.
• It creates a median channel on the dorsum of tongue for the transport of food together with its equivalent of other side.