Inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue

The inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue.^[1] It is situated on the under surface of the tongue between the genioglossus and hyoglossus.^{[citation needed]} It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII). Its contraction shortens and thickens the tongue.

Inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue
Coronal section of tongue, showing intrinsic muscles.
The mouth cavity. (Longitudinalis inferior labeled at bottom left.)
Details
Origin	Root of tongue
Insertion	Apex of tongue
Nerve	Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Actions	Retracts tongue with superior longitudinal muscle, making tongue short and thick
Identifiers
Latin	musculus longitudinalis inferior linguae
TA98	A05.1.04.107
TA2	2123
FMA	46694
Anatomical terms of muscle [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

The inferior longitudinal muscle of the tongue is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue.^[1] It is thin and oval in cross-section. It is situated between the paramedian septum, and the lateral septum.^[2] It extends from the root to the apex of the tongue. Posteriorly, some of its fibers attach onto the body of the hyoid bone.^{[citation needed]} Anteriorly, its fibres blend with those of the styloglossus, hyoglossus, and genioglossus to form the ventral area of the tip of the tongue.^[2]

Innervation

The inferior longitudinal muscle of the tongue is supplied by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).^[3]

Function

Contraciton of the inferior longitudinal muscle of the tongue shortens and thickens the tongue.^[2]

Additional images

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