Tongue

:Alternative meaning: Tongue, Highland

Intrinsic muscles of the tongue

Four pairs of muscles originate within the tongue, and run in parallel down its length.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• The superior longitudinal muscle runs along the superior surface of the tongue under the mucous membrane, and allows the tongue to curl.
• The inferior longitudinal muscle lines the sides of the tongue, and is joined to the styloglossus muscle.
• The verticalis muscle is located in the middle of the tongue, and joins the superior and inferior longitudinal muscles.
• The transversus muscle divides the tongue at the middle, and is attached to the mucous membranes that run along the sides.