Muscle
Intrinsic muscles of the tongue
Interwoven fibers for precise tongue shape
High-yield
Intrinsic muscles chiefly reshape the tongue, while extrinsic muscles help reposition it. All four intrinsic groups receive motor fibers from CN XII.
Overview
The superior longitudinal, inferior longitudinal, transverse and vertical muscle groups lie within the tongue. Their interwoven fibers shorten, narrow, flatten or curl it. They work with the extrinsic muscles during speech and food handling.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Fibers arise within the tongue, including its connective-tissue septum, aponeurosis and submucosal tissues
- Insertion
- Fibers end within the tongue and its connective tissues, including the margins and tip
- Innervation
- Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
- Action
- Superior longitudinal: shortens and curls the tip upward. Inferior longitudinal: shortens and curls it downward. Transverse: narrows and lengthens. Vertical: flattens and widens.
- Blood supply
- Branches of the lingual artery
Frequently asked questions
What does the intrinsic muscles of the tongue do?
Superior longitudinal: shortens and curls the tip upward. Inferior longitudinal: shortens and curls it downward. Transverse: narrows and lengthens. Vertical: flattens and widens.
What nerve innervates the intrinsic muscles of the tongue?
The intrinsic muscles of the tongue is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Where does the intrinsic muscles of the tongue attach?
The intrinsic muscles of the tongue originates from the fibers arise within the tongue, including its connective-tissue septum, aponeurosis and submucosal tissues and inserts on the fibers end within the tongue and its connective tissues, including the margins and tip.
What is the blood supply of the intrinsic muscles of the tongue?
Branches of the lingual artery.