Editing Tongue (section)

=====Intrinsic=====
[[File:Gray1020.png|thumb|right|240px|Coronal section of tongue, showing intrinsic muscles]]
Four paired intrinsic muscles of the tongue originate and insert within the tongue, running along its length. They are the [[superior longitudinal muscle of tongue|superior longitudinal muscle]], the [[inferior longitudinal muscle]], the [[vertical muscle of tongue|vertical muscle]], and the [[transverse muscle of tongue|transverse muscle]]. These muscles alter the shape of the tongue by lengthening and shortening it, curling and uncurling its apex and edges as in [[tongue rolling]], and flattening and rounding its surface. This provides shape and helps facilitate speech, swallowing, and eating.<ref name=GRAYS2005 />

The superior longitudinal muscle runs along the upper surface of the tongue under the mucous membrane, and functions to shorten and curl the tongue upward. It originates near the [[epiglottis]], at the [[hyoid bone]], from the median fibrous septum.

The inferior longitudinal muscle lines the sides of the tongue, and is joined to the styloglossus muscle. It functions to shorten and curl the tongue downward.

The vertical muscle is located in the middle of the tongue, and joins the superior and inferior longitudinal muscles. It functions to flatten the tongue.

The transverse muscle divides the tongue at the middle, and is attached to the [[mucous membrane]]s that run along the sides. It functions to lengthen and narrow the tongue.