Styloglossus
Tongue · Head & Neck
The styloglossus is the shortest and smallest of the three main extrinsic tongue muscles that arise from bony points around the mouth. It springs from the styloid process of the temporal bone and the nearby stylomandibular ligament and runs downward and forward to the side of the tongue, where its fibres interdigitate with the hyoglossus and the inferior longitudinal muscle. Its action is to elevate and retract the tongue, drawing it up and back, as in the first stage of swallowing. Because it descends from the skull base to the tongue, it works in opposition to the genioglossus, which protrudes. It is supplied, like the other tongue muscles apart from palatoglossus, by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Styloid process of the temporal bone and stylomandibular ligament
Insertion
Side of the tongue, blending with hyoglossus and the inferior longitudinal muscle
Action
Elevates and retracts the tongue
Nerve
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Attachments explained
The Styloglossus is defined first by where it attaches. Its origin is the more fixed anchor, usually the proximal or more stable end that stays put during contraction, while its insertion is the more mobile point that is pulled toward the origin when the muscle shortens.
Origin
Styloid process of the temporal bone and stylomandibular ligament
Insertion
Side of the tongue, blending with hyoglossus and the inferior longitudinal muscle
Action & function
When the Styloglossus contracts, it produces the following movement: Elevates and retracts the tongue.
As part of the Tongue group of the Head & Neck, it works alongside neighbouring muscles to generate smooth, coordinated movement and to stabilise the structures it acts on.
Nerve supply & clinical relevance
The Styloglossus receives its nerve supply from the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Hypoglossal nerve can weaken or paralyse the Styloglossus, impairing the movements it normally produces (elevates and retracts the tongue). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Styloglossus (the OIANS method)
Read styloglossus off its high origin. Because it comes down from the styloid process above and behind the tongue, its pull naturally lifts the tongue up and back, giving elevation and retraction. Grouping it with the other styloid muscles, stylohyoid and stylopharyngeus, as the trio that begins at the styloid process helps fix its starting point.
Contrast it with genioglossus to hold the opposing actions together. Styloglossus retracts and elevates while genioglossus protrudes, yet both answer to CN XII. Recalling that the tongue's opposing movers share one nerve is a compact way to remember both innervation and action for this muscle.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Styloglossus located?
The Styloglossus is a muscle of the Tongue group, located in the Head & Neck.
What is the origin of the Styloglossus?
Styloid process of the temporal bone and stylomandibular ligament
What is the insertion of the Styloglossus?
Side of the tongue, blending with hyoglossus and the inferior longitudinal muscle
What movements does the Styloglossus produce?
Elevates and retracts the tongue
What nerve supplies the Styloglossus?
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Is the Styloglossus free to study in OIANS?
The Styloglossus is always free to browse. Its full origin, insertion, action and nerve details are open to everyone in the Muscle Directory. Quiz and Flashcard practice for the Head & Neck is part of the one-time Lifetime upgrade, though; only the Upper Limb decks are free to test yourself on.
Related muscles
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