The vertical muscle of the tongue is an intrinsic muscle of the

tongue The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod. It manipulates food for mastication and swallowing as part of the digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste. The tongue's upper surface (dorsum) is covered by taste ...

. Its fibers extend from the upper to the under surface of the tongue. It is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII). Its contraction flattens, widens and elongates the tongue.

Anatomy

The vertical muscle of the tongue is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue. It is found only at the borders of the forepart of the

Structure

Fibres of the vertical muscle of the tongue are arranged in an almost vertical direction, and intersect the transversely oriented fibres of the

transverse muscle of tongue The transverse muscle of tongue (transversus linguae) is an intrinsic muscle of the tongue. It consists of fibers which arise from the median fibrous septum. It passes laterally to insert into the submucous fibrous tissue at the sides of the tongu ...

. Fibers of the vertical muscle of the tongue extend from the upper to the under surface of the tongue.

Innervation

The vertical of the tongue is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

Function

Contraction of the vertical muscle of the tongue flattens, widens and elongates the tongue.

References

Muscles of the head and neck Tongue {{muscle-stub