The chondroglossus muscle is one of the four extrinsic muscles of human tongue. It arises from the lesser horn of the hyoid bone by a small muscular slip. Then its fibers travel up obliquely and anteriorly between the muscular fibers of the hyoglossus as they get mixed up. It is inserted into the dorsum of the tongue, interlacing with the fibers of the superior longitudinal muscle of tongue.
Action
The chondroglossus pulls the tongue downwards and backwards, working together with the hyoglossus.
Innervation and Blood Supply
It is innervated by the hypoglossus nerve (CN XII) and it receives oxygenated blood from small collateral branches of the lingual artery.
Below, right side of human face, exhibiting the extrinsic muscle of tongue. To expose the chondroglossus, the hyoglossus has been cut off.
