ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY OF INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC MUSCLES OF HUMAN TONGUE

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  • 1 January 1975
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 33  (3) , 445-455
Abstract
In healthy human subjects, electromyographic (EMG) activities were obtained from various tongue muscles. Main actions such as protrusion, retraction and changing of the shape of the tongue can be correlated with the EMG activity of the respective muscles. Of all tongue muscles, the paired genioglossus (protruder) is of greatest importance since it prevents a relapse of the tongue with occlusion of the airways and the attendant risk of suffocation. To counteract the relapse of the tongue, the tonic activity of the genioglossus is markedly increased in the supine position; this activity is further increased with cervical flexion. The genioglossi are also activated during respiration, particularly during the inspiratory phase. These activity patterns reflect the important role the genioglossus plays in the mechanics of maintaining an open air passage to the lungs.

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