genioglossus

ge·ni·o·glos·sus (jn--glss)

n.

Either of a pair of lingual muscles with origin in the mandible, with insertion to the lingual fascia below the mucous membrane and epiglottis, with nerve supply from the hypoglossal nerve, and whose action depresses and protrudes the tongue.

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genioglossus,

one of the thick, fan-shaped extrinsic muscles that depress the central part of the tongue and protrude the anterior part of the tongue out of the oral fissure. The genioglossus muscles are innervated by the hypoglossal nerves.