The verticalis linguae muscle is a striated muscle of the internal tongue musculature. Its fibers are located in the anterior region of the tongue and extend from its surface to the sublingual mucosa. The muscle allows the tongue to move and is involved in food intake, swallowing, and speech.
What is the verticalis linguae muscle?
The verticalis linguae muscle is a muscle in the oral cavity. It is part of the internal tongue musculature. Its tissue is transversely striated, i.e., under the light microscope, the structure exhibits a periodically striated pattern. The vertical tongue muscle does not form a self-contained unit of the body. This distinguishes it from most other muscles that form individual contractile organs. It cannot be clearly delineated anatomically. Rather, the verticalis linguae muscle is a thin fibrous layer in the region of the anterior tongue. Its vertical traction extends from the tongue aponeurosis to the underside. The verticalis linguae muscle is an intrinsic muscle. It forms one of the essential components of the tongue. It is characterized by its enormous mobility. In total, its muscle fibers are arranged in all three directions: They extend from front to back, from the edge to the center, and from top to bottom.
Anatomy and structure
The verticalis linguae muscle is located in the anterior portion in the tongue. The muscle originates in the tongue aponeurosis, a layer of connective tissue between the tongue and tongue muscles. The verticalis linguae muscle attaches to the underside of the tongue. Thus, the vertical lingual muscle extends from the surface of the tongue to its lower mucosa. The tissue of the verticalis lingua muscle is supplied by cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve. This nerve regulates the motor control of the tongue. The contractile fibers, together with the transversus muscle, the longitudinalis superficialis and profundus muscles, form the internal musculature of the tongue. This transverse system is interrupted by scissor-like septum linguae, which is co-formed by the tendons. This septum, as well as the aponeurosis linguae, makes the gliding movements of the tongue possible. The system of its musculature has three directions. Thus, there is a positioning of the muscles that is unique. No comparable structure exists in any other part of the body.
Function and tasks
The verticali linguae muscle, along with other muscles, is involved in the mobility of the tongue. The vertical muscle enables versatile deformations of the tongue. It contributes to flattening and narrowing it. Furthermore, these fibers in the anterior part of the tongue allow its tip to stick out. The tongue is thus the only muscle in the entire human body that can elongate. Its extreme mobility, due to its fibers, enables it to move food around in the mouth. It can push food between the teeth in this way. Food is thus placed in the correct position for chewing. The tongue salivates the food, another central process for digestion. In addition, the verticalii linguae muscle is involved in the act of swallowing, pushing food down the throat. The muscle, along with other muscles, supports the function of sucking, an especially important function for infants. The deformation of the tongue creates a negative pressure that sucks in the liquid. Another function of the verticali linguae muscle along with other tongue muscles is to participate in speech. The formation of certain consonants such as “t”, “d”, “l” or the rolled “r” are not possible without the tongue. In these processes, the verticali linguae muscle, together with another internal muscle, in many cases assumes the function of antagonist with respect to a third muscle, which must stretch as a result.
Diseases
The musculus verticali linguae is part of the internal tongue musculature and may be affected by diseases in this context. The clinical pictures that can affect the function of the tongue and its musculature and cause disorders are diverse. Causes of impairment can originate directly from the tongue. These diseases include tongue abscesses. These are purulent inflammations on the tongue, usually caused by a mucosal injury. Possible further diseases are habituated aphthae, changes in the oral mucosa.Candidiadis, which is caused by fungi, can also affect the tongue. Carcinoma of the tongue can also affect the verticali lingua muscle. Another disease of the mucosa of the tongue is lichen ruber planus, also known as nodular lichen. Furthermore, nerve diseases can affect the function of the musculus verticali linguae. Due to these damages, the ability to swallow, in which vertical tongue muscle is involved, can be hindered. Swallowing disorders, known as dysphagia, may occur in brain diseases such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Multiple sclerosis also puts sufferers at risk for impaired swallowing. The disease affects the nervous system. The sheathing layer of nerve fibers is broken down. A brain tumor can also damage the brain and thus the nerves in such a way that the swallowing process is disturbed. This also negatively affects the vertical tongue muscle. In addition, medical conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are among those that may be associated with swallowing disorders.
