We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Muscles of the Tongue?

By Synthia L. Rose
Updated: Mar 03, 2024

Muscles of the tongue are contracting tissues used to rotate and arrange food for chewing as well as to form sounds in spoken language. There are two major types of tongue muscles: intrinsic muscles and extrinsic muscles. The entire tongue is composed primarily of muscles covered by a thick membrane. These muscles are arranged symmetrically with the same muscles on the right existing on the left and separated in the center by the median septum.

Extrinsic muscles of the tongue are those that attach to the outside of the tongue from the jaw, the floor of the mouth or rear of the oral cavity; there are four main ones. The genioglossus muscle is an extrinsic muscle that enables forward movement; it attaches to the front of the jaw and allows the tongue to thrust outside of the mouth. Styloglossus is the muscle that lifts the tongue up and pulls it backward.

Extreme lifts of the tongue are accomplished by the mylohyoid muscle. The hyoglossus muscle depresses the tongue, sliding it downward and in a rear direction. By lifting the tongue, and looking underneath it, one can spy sinews connecting the underside of the tongue to the oral cavity. Smaller, secondary extrinsic muscles assist these four main ones in completing their movements

Intrinsic muscles of the tongue are those situated inside the tongue. The superior longitudinal muscle runs lengthwise from the front of the tongue to the back; it’s located on the top of the tongue just beneath the membrane. Sides of the tongue are supported by intrinsic muscles known as inferior longitudinal muscles and verticalis muscles; they allow the tongue to curl, swish from cheek to cheek, and contort into various shapes.

Whether a person is awake or asleep, the muscles of the tongue are consistently working. During food consumption, tongue muscles situate food under teeth for grinding and then position the food for swallowing. In speech, the tongue interacts with the teeth and the roof of the mouth to blend sounds and form letter combinations. At night during slumber, the tongue circulates saliva and initiates swallows.

In order for tongue muscles to move the tongue, nerves embedded in the tongue must communicate orders from the brain to the muscles of the tongue. Neurological damage or diseases, such as pseudobulbar palsy, can cause motor problems for the tongue. Lack of use can also cause motor problems because unused tongue muscles weaken and lose the ability to form words and guide food properly.

The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By candyquilt — On Jan 29, 2015

@bear78-- That might actually be due to the intrinsic transverse muscle. This muscle is responsible for making the tongue long and narrow.

People can improve the use of their tongue muscles with speech therapy and reduce their function by not using them. It's like any other muscle group in the body. Muscles strengthen and work better as they are used.

By burcinc — On Jan 28, 2015

@bear78-- Tongue rolling was something all of our biology teachers had us try when teaching us about genetics. It doesn't really have to do with the muscles of the tongue. I'm not an expert but I think that unless someone has a neurological disorder, everyone's tongue muscles are capable of doing the same kind of things.

Most people think that tongue rolling is just a hereditary trait. But my biology professor in college had told us that it's partially hereditary and partially environmental. Some people can learn to roll their tongue.

So it seems that being able to roll our tongue doesn't have all to do with the physical structure of the tongue or genetics.

By bear78 — On Jan 28, 2015

We all know what an important role the tongue plays in speaking, swallowing and eating. But few of us are aware of the variety of muscles and the complex nerve interactions that result in these. I think it's very cool.

By the way, does anyone know why some of us can roll our tongue and some of us can't? It sounds like tongue muscles work the same way in everyone. So what's the explanation?

Share
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.