styloglossus styloglossus the styloglossus muscle is a bilaterally paired muscle of the tongue. it originates at the styloid process of the temporal bone. it inserts onto the side of the tongue. it acts to elevate and retract the tongue. it is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve xii). styloglossusextrinsic muscles of the tongue. left side. (styloglossus xii visible at center top.)coronal section of tongue, showing intrinsic muscles. (styloglossus labeled at center left.)detailsoriginstyloid process of temporal boneinsertiontip and sides of tonguearterysublingual branch of the lingual artery.nervehypoglossal nerve (cn xii)actionsretraction and elevation of tongueidentifierslatinmusculus styloglossusta98a05.1.04.105ta22121fma46692anatomical terms of muscle anatomy the styloglossus muscle is the shortest and smallest of the three styloid muscles. origin it arises from (the anterior and lateral surfaces of) the styloid process of the temporal bone near its apex, and from the stylomandibular ligament. course and relations it passes anterioinferiorly from its origin to its insertion between the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery, and between the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle. insertion it divides upon the side of the tongue near the dorsal surface of the tongue, blending with the fibers of the longitudinalis inferior muscle anterior to the hyoglossus muscle. innervation the styloglossus is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cn xii) (like all muscles of the tongue except palatoglossus which is innervated by the pharyngeal plexus of vagus nerve (cn x)). function the styloglossus draws up the sides of the tongue to create a trough for swallowing. acting bilaterally (both styloglossus muscles contracting simultaneously) they also aid in retracting the tongue. additional images left temporal bone. outer surface. muscles of the neck. anterior view. the internal carotid and vertebral arteries. right side. course and distribution of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves. hypoglossal nerve, cervical plexus, and their branches. styloglossus muscle styloglossus muscle styloglossus muscle styloglossus muscle