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Myloglossus there is posterior to them all, a muscle quite 

 distinct, which may be a portion of the Myloglossus. I 

 have, however, described it as an M. Stylo-glossus. 



The function of the Myloglossus muscle is to combine 

 with the annular muscle, yet to be mentioned, in pressing 

 the posterior part of the tongue, against the roof of the 

 mouth. The Myloglossus is mentioned by Duvernoy as a 

 Mylohyoid. 



M. Stylo-glossus. 



Intimately connected with the M. Myloglossus, more es- 

 pecially with its deeper and larger portion, is a Stylo- 

 glossus. It forms a distinct muscle from the preceding. 

 It arises from the stylo-hyal cartilage at its upper and prox- 

 imal end ; and forms with its fellow of the opposite side, a 

 loop extending to its insertion, in a median raphe behind 

 the Myloglossus, and, superficial to it. 



Near its origin it is tendinous. It broadens and flattens 

 as it nears its insertion. Its origin is just back of the ear 

 tube (meatus auditorius externus) above the origin of the 

 Stylo-hj'^oideus. The length is about 35™™. The function 

 of this muscle is, in part to press the posterior portion of 

 the tongue against the roof of the mouth. In that it acts 

 with the Myloglossus ; it may also serve to draw the whole 

 dental portion of the tongue backward, combining its func- 

 tion with that of the Sterno-glossus. It is then an oppo- 

 nent of the Genio-glossi Postici, and the Genio-glossi. 



M. Annulus Inferior. 



The Myloglossus and Styloglossus act as circular mus- 

 cles of the throat. Just below the Myloglossus we find a 

 second circular muscle, the Annulus Inferior. This is a 

 broad, thin muscle arising from the raphe, in connection 

 with the more superficially placed muscles, and embracing 



