Topics

Topic

design image
Transverse muscle of tongue

The transverse muscle of the tongue is one of the four intrinsic muscles of the tongue, playing a crucial role in altering the shape and size of the tongue to facilitate speech and swallowing. It is a paired muscle, running from the median fibrous septum towards the lateral borders of the tongue. The transverse muscle helps to narrow and elongate the tongue, contributing to its flexibility and function during various oral and pharyngeal activities.

Key Points on the Transverse Muscle of Tongue:

Origin:

  • Arises from the median fibrous septum of the tongue.

Insertion:

  • Inserts into the submucous tissue at the lateral margins of the tongue.

Function:

  • Narrows and elongates the tongue.

  • Assists in shaping the tongue during speech, mastication, and swallowing.

  • Plays a supportive role in creating the groove along the dorsum of the tongue.

Nerve Supply:

  • Supplied by the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII).

 Artery Supply:

  • Primarily supplied by the lingual artery (a branch of the external carotid artery).

Vein Supply:

  • Drained by the lingual vein, which ultimately drains into the internal jugular vein.

MRI Appearance:

  • T1-weighted images: Appears as intermediate signal intensity, similar to other skeletal muscles.

  • T2-weighted images:Normal muscle demonstrates relatively low signal intensity, but increased signal may indicate edema or pathology.

  • STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery): Shows low signal intensity unless there is edema or pathology, in which case the affected muscle may appear hyperintense.

CT Appearance:

  • Appears as a soft tissue density within the tongue, indistinct from other intrinsic muscles on non-contrast CT.

  • Intramuscular borders are usually not well delineated without contrast.

MRI images

Transverse muscle of tongue MRI IMAGE -img-00000-00000