Genioglossus
/ˌdʒiːni.oʊˈɡlɒsəs/noun
A fan-shaped muscle extending from the inside of the chin to the tongue, primarily helping to protrude and stabilize it.
Did you know?The genioglossus helps prevent the tongue from collapsing backward and blocking the airway, making it crucial to normal breathing during sleep.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
geneion
“Chin or lower front part of the face”
Ancient Greek
Greek
glōssa
“Tongue; language”
19th Century
New Latin
genioglossus
“A compound anatomical term meaning “chin-tongue””
19th Century
Medical English
genioglossus
“The muscle running from the mandible to the tongue”
Modern English
English
genioglossus
“The principal muscle that protrudes the tongue and helps maintain an open airway”
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