Genioglossus

Head & throat

Origin: Inner surface of the mandible behind the chin (superior mental spine)
Insertion: Underside of the tongue along its length and the body of the hyoid bone
Action: Sticks out the tongue and pulls it down
Nerve supply: Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

The large fan-shaped muscle that forms most of the bulk of the tongue. It sticks the tongue out and helps keep the airway behind the tongue open.

Exercises that train the genioglossus

No exercise in this guide targets the genioglossus directly yet.

Last updated 18 October 2026. For education only — not medical advice, and not reviewed by a clinician.