The hyoglossus depresses and retracts the tongue, acting as the antagonist to the genioglossus. Its most important clinical significance is its relationship to the lingual artery — the lingual artery passes deep (inferior) to the hyoglossus, while the lingual nerve and submandibular duct pass superficial (superior) to it. This anatomical relationship — lingual artery deep, nerve and duct superficial — is essential knowledge for floor-of-mouth surgery.
| Origin | Body and greater horn of the hyoid bone |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Side of the tongue — lateral intrinsic fibres |
| Nerve Supply | Hypoglossal nerve (XII) |
| Blood Supply | Lingual artery (the lingual artery passes deep to the hyoglossus — important surgical relationship) |
| Actions | Depresses the tongue; Retracts the tongue |
|---|
In submandibular gland excision, the lingual nerve and submandibular duct are identified superficial to the hyoglossus and the lingual artery deep to it. The rule: lingual nerve superficial, duct superficial, artery deep to the hyoglossus. Damage to the lingual artery during floor-of-mouth surgery produces significant haemorrhage requiring ligation of the lingual artery at the external carotid.
The hyoglossus is not separately palpable — assessed as part of tongue depression testing.
Hyoglossus marks the boundary between the lingual artery (deep) and lingual nerve and duct (superficial) in floor-of-mouth surgery.
