Muscle Names · Muscular System · Medium

Hyoglossus

Meaning: A thin muscle attaching the tongue to the U-shaped neck bone that depresses and retracts the tongue.

In practice: The hypoglossal nerve runs forwards on the surface of hyoglossus in the floor of the mouth.

Quick check

Two questions on related muscle names words.

Which word means: A muscle that lowers or depresses a structure, such as the depressor anguli oris.

Which word means: One of the small worm-like hand or foot muscles that flex the knuckle joints and straighten the fingers.

Words like hyoglossus come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More muscle names terms · All medical words