The hyoglossus muscle arises from the entire length of the body and greater horn of the hyoid bone and inserts into the lateral tongue, with its hyoid attachment having tendinous components that blend with the hyoid periosteum. The muscle forms the floor of the oral cavity deep to mylohyoid.
The hyoglossus is a critical surgical landmark in the floor of mouth and submandibular triangle. The lingual nerve crosses superficial to the muscle, the hypoglossal nerve crosses deep to the posterior edge, and the submandibular duct passes deep to the muscle between the duct and the lingual nerve. During submandibular gland excision, these three structures are identified in relation to the hyoglossus. The muscle is the lateral boundary of the sublingual space.
Bleeding from the rich vascular supply adjacent to the hyoglossus tendinous attachment producing floor of mouth haematoma and potential airway compromise, a recognised complication of dental procedures and tongue base surgery.
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