Hyoglossus

Hyoglossus
Extrinsic muscles of the tongue. Left side. (Hyoglossus visible at center.)
Muscles of the neck. Anterior view. Hyoglossal muscle in purple
Details
OriginHyoid
InsertionSide of the tongue
NerveHypoglossal (CN XII)
ActionsDepresses and retracts the tongue
Identifiers
Latinmusculus hyoglossus
TA98A05.1.04.102
TA22118
FMA46691
Anatomical terms of muscle

The hyoglossus is a thin and quadrilateral extrinsic muscle of the tongue. It originates from the hyoid bone; it inserts onto the side of the tongue. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII). It acts to depress and retract the tongue.