Styloglossus muscle

The styloglossus muscle is one of the extrinsic tongue muscles.

Summary

• origin: the apex of the styloid process adjacent to the origin of the stylomandibular ligament, and deep fibers of the ligament itself
• insertion: merges with the hyoglossus and inferior longitudinal muscle of the tongue
• innervation: hypoglossal nerve
• blood supply: ascending pharyngeal artery; ascending palatine and tonsillar arteries 
• action: tongue elevation and retraction