Chondroglossus
Tongue · Head & Neck
Chondroglossus belongs to the Tongue group of the Head & Neck. Its origin is Lesser horn and body of the hyoid bone, and it inserts onto Intrinsic musculature of the tongue. Functionally, it depresses the tongue (often regarded as part of hyoglossus). Its nerve supply is the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Origin, Insertion, Action & Nerve
Origin
Lesser horn and body of the hyoid bone
Insertion
Intrinsic musculature of the tongue
Action
Depresses the tongue (often regarded as part of hyoglossus)
Nerve
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Attachments explained
The Chondroglossus is defined first by where it attaches. Its origin is the more fixed anchor, usually the proximal or more stable end that stays put during contraction, while its insertion is the more mobile point that is pulled toward the origin when the muscle shortens.
Origin
Lesser horn and body of the hyoid bone
Insertion
Intrinsic musculature of the tongue
Action & function
When the Chondroglossus contracts, it produces the following movement: Depresses the tongue (often regarded as part of hyoglossus).
As part of the Tongue group of the Head & Neck, it works alongside neighbouring muscles to generate smooth, coordinated movement and to stabilise the structures it acts on.
Nerve supply & clinical relevance
The Chondroglossus receives its nerve supply from the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).
Because a muscle can only contract when its nerve is intact, injury to the Hypoglossal nerve can weaken or paralyse the Chondroglossus, impairing the movements it normally produces (depresses the tongue (often regarded as part of hyoglossus)). This is why knowing the innervation is central to localising nerve lesions in clinical practice.
How to study the Chondroglossus (the OIANS method)
OIANS stands for Origin, Insertion, Action and Nerve, the four facts that uniquely define every skeletal muscle. To learn the Chondroglossus, work through them in order: picture its origin, trace the muscle to its insertion, reason out the action that shortening between those two points must create, then add the nerve that drives it.
Most students remember the Chondroglossus fastest by linking its action back to its attachments rather than memorising each fact in isolation. Once the origin and insertion make sense, the action usually follows logically.
Chondroglossus quick facts
- Region
- Head & Neck
- Group
- Tongue
- Origin
- Lesser horn and body of the hyoid bone
- Insertion
- Intrinsic musculature of the tongue
- Action
- Depresses the tongue (often regarded as part of hyoglossus)
- Nerve
- Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
- Spinal roots
- —
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Chondroglossus located?
The Chondroglossus is a muscle of the Tongue group, located in the Head & Neck.
What is the origin of the Chondroglossus?
Lesser horn and body of the hyoid bone
What is the insertion of the Chondroglossus?
Intrinsic musculature of the tongue
What movements does the Chondroglossus produce?
Depresses the tongue (often regarded as part of hyoglossus)
What nerve supplies the Chondroglossus?
Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Is the Chondroglossus free to study in OIANS?
The Chondroglossus is always free to browse. Its full origin, insertion, action and nerve details are open to everyone in the Muscle Directory. Quiz and Flashcard practice for the Head & Neck is part of the one-time Lifetime upgrade, though; only the Upper Limb decks are free to test yourself on.
Related muscles
Study the Chondroglossus
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