The inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue is a paired intrinsic muscle of this organ of speech. It is long, narrow and cylindrical. It lies on each of the inferior lateral borders of the tongue proper, medially of the hyoglossus and styloglossus but laterally of the genioglossus muscle fibers.
The inferior longitudinal muscle arises from the mucous membrane of the root of tongue. Then it runs forward along the full length of this muscular organ to its tip, right under the transverse muscle.
Action: it shortens tongue and pulls its tip downwards.
Innervation
The inferior longitudinal muscle of tongue is innervated by terminal branches of the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Blood Supply
It receives oxygenated blood from secondary branches of lingual artery.
Below, view of inferior side of human tongue, showing its extrinsic and intrinsic muscles. The inferior longitudinal is clearly labeled.
