Styloglossus

Muscle infobox
Name = Styloglossus
Latin = musculus styloglossus
GraySubject = 242
GrayPage = 1130

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Caption = Extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Left side. (Styloglossus visible at center top.)


Caption2 = Coronal section of tongue, showing intrinsic muscles. (Styloglossus labeled at center left.)
Origin = Styloid process of temporal bone
Insertion = tongue
Action =
Blood =
Nerve = Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
DorlandsPre = m_22
DorlandsSuf = 12550968
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.

Innervation

Like most muscles of the tongue, the styloglossus is innervated by the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) like all muscles of the tongue except palatoglossal which is innervated by Vagus Nerve CN X carrying CN XI.

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.

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