Styloglossus
Tongue & Throat
The styloglossus helps pull the tongue backward and upward, which is useful when moving food toward the throat during swallowing.
Function
Retracts the tongue, elevates the sides of the tongue, and helps form a trough during swallowing.
Origin
Styloid process of the temporal bone; also commonly described as arising partly from the stylohyoid ligament.
Insertion
Lateral side of the tongue, blending with intrinsic tongue muscles and fibers near the hyoglossus.
Innervation
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).