Corpus: Inferior longitudinal muscle
1. Definition
2. Anatomy
The inferior longitudinal muscle is not a distinctly separate anatomical structure, but rather a thin layer of primarily longitudinal muscle fibers situated between the genioglossus and hyoglossus muscles. It extends from the root of the tongue (radix linguae) to the tip of the tongue (apex linguae). In the posterior region, some fibers attach to the hyoid bone, while the anterior fibers blend into the styloglossus muscle.
3. Innervation
The inferior longitudinal muscle is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII).
4. Function
The inferior longitudinal muscle is responsible for shortening and widening the tongue, as well as elevating the tip of the tongue.