Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT)

Which muscle is responsible for protruding the tongue?

1. Hyoglossus

2. Genioglossus

3. Styloglossus

4. Palatoglossus

The correct answer is: Genioglossus

The muscle responsible for protruding the tongue is the genioglossus. This muscle originates from the mental spine of the mandible and extends upward to the tongue. Its primary function is to depress and protrude the tongue forward. When the genioglossus contracts, it pulls the tongue anteriorly, allowing for its protrusion. This action is crucial for various functions, including speech and swallowing. Other muscles listed have different roles: the hyoglossus primarily functions to retract and depress the tongue, the styloglossus aids in retracting and elevating the tongue, and the palatoglossus helps raise the back of the tongue during swallowing and is involved in the elevation of the soft palate. Thus, the role of the genioglossus is specifically aligned with the action of sticking out the tongue, making it the correct answer in this context.