Superior Longitudinal Lingual
Tongue · Head & Neck
The superior longitudinal muscle is the most superficial of the intrinsic muscles of the tongue, lying just beneath the mucosa of the dorsum. It runs from the submucous tissue near the epiglottis and the median fibrous septum forward to the margins and apex of the tongue. As an intrinsic muscle it has no bony attachment; instead it changes the shape of the tongue itself. When it contracts it shortens the tongue and curls the apex and lateral margins upward, making the dorsum concave. Like the other intrinsic muscles, it is supplied by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Submucosa near the epiglottis and the median fibrous septum of the tongue
Insertion
Margins and apex of the tongue
Action
Shortens the tongue and curls the apex and lateral margins upward (makes the dorsum concave)
Nerve
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Attachments explained
The Superior Longitudinal Lingual 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
Submucosa near the epiglottis and the median fibrous septum of the tongue
Insertion
Margins and apex of the tongue
Action & function
When the Superior Longitudinal Lingual contracts, it produces the following movement: Shortens the tongue and curls the apex and lateral margins upward (makes the dorsum concave).
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 Superior Longitudinal Lingual 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 Superior Longitudinal Lingual, impairing the movements it normally produces (shortens the tongue and curls the apex and lateral margins upward (makes the dorsum concave)). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Superior Longitudinal Lingual (the OIANS method)
Learn the intrinsic muscles by the plane in which their fibres lie, and place the superior longitudinal at the very top, running lengthwise just under the dorsal mucosa. Because its fibres run front to back near the surface, contraction shortens the tongue and turns the tip and edges up, hollowing the dorsum. Fibre direction predicts the deformation, so learn the direction and the action follows.
Pair it deliberately with the inferior longitudinal, its opposite number. The superior set curls the apex up and makes the dorsum concave, while the inferior set curls the apex down. Holding the two longitudinal muscles as an up-versus-down pair, both driven by CN XII, keeps their similar names from blurring together.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Superior Longitudinal Lingual located?
The Superior Longitudinal Lingual is a muscle of the Tongue group, located in the Head & Neck.
What is the origin of the Superior Longitudinal Lingual?
Submucosa near the epiglottis and the median fibrous septum of the tongue
What is the insertion of the Superior Longitudinal Lingual?
Margins and apex of the tongue
What movements does the Superior Longitudinal Lingual produce?
Shortens the tongue and curls the apex and lateral margins upward (makes the dorsum concave)
What nerve supplies the Superior Longitudinal Lingual?
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Is the Superior Longitudinal Lingual free to study in OIANS?
The Superior Longitudinal Lingual 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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