Hyoglossus (Musculus hyoglossus)
Educational content only — not medical advice.
Anatomy
The hyoglossus is a thin, quadrilateral extrinsic tongue muscle situated in the lateral floor of the mouth and upper submandibular region. Arising from the greater horn and body of the hyoid bone, it ascends vertically to enter the side of the tongue. It acts as an essential surgical landmark separating superficial neurovascular structures from the deep lingual artery.
Origin & insertion
From the greater horn and body of the hyoid bone to the lateral and ventral aspect of the tongue, interdigitating with the styloglossus.
Action
Depresses the tongue dorsum and retracts the protruded tongue back into the oral cavity.
Innervation
Hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII).
Clinical notes
The hyoglossus is the landmark of the submandibular approach: the lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve cross its superficial surface, whereas the lingual artery runs deep to it, protecting the vessel during surgery.
Related structures
Educational references
FAQ
What is the role of the Hyoglossus?
The hyoglossus is a thin, quadrilateral extrinsic tongue muscle situated in the lateral floor of the mouth and upper submandibular region. Arising from the greater horn and body of the hyoid bone, it ascends vertically to enter the side of the tongue. It acts as an essential surgical landmark separating superficial neurovascular structures from the deep lingual artery.
Why is the Hyoglossus clinically important?
The hyoglossus is the landmark of the submandibular approach: the lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve cross its superficial surface, whereas the lingual artery runs deep to it, protecting the vessel during surgery.
Source & license
BodyParts3D, © The Database Center for Life Science licensed under CC Attribution 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). license details