Re: How do the tongue muscles function?

Dear Pat,

You are absolutely correct, as a muscle contract it becomes shorter and by bringing the two ends 
of the muscle closer to each other the desired result occurs (such as 
contraction of the biceps brings the forearm closer and almost parallel to
the upper arm). The same thing happens in the tongue. There are two sets
of muscle present in the tongue:intrinsic and extrinsic. The intrinsic 
muscles originate and insert completely within the tongue. These are the
muscles that alter the shape of the tongue and allow one to curl the sides
of the tongue upward, forming a slight trough as when you put your hads
together (palm up) and cup them to hold water. The extrinsic muscles 
originate outside the tongue and insert within the body of the tongue. 
For instance, the genioglossus muscle originates in front of the tongue
on the inner aspect of the mandible (at the mandibular symphysis). If you
put your index finger on the point of your chin and gently push your thumb
up beneath the underside of your chin, your thumb is near the origin of
the genioglossus muscle. This muscle inserts in your tongue and, as the
muscle contracts, it shortens and brings the tongue forward, allowing you
to stick your tongue out at someone.

I hope this helps,

Leslie P. Gartner
Anatomy, Dental School
University of Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland