Which two muscles are primarily responsible for tongue base retraction?

• A. Genioglossus and Styloglossus
• B. Genioglossus and Hyoglossus
• C. Palatoglossus and Genioglossus
• D. Styloglossus and Hyoglossus

Answer: (D)

Tongue base retraction is about pulling the back part of the tongue toward the back of the mouth. The muscles that accomplish this most effectively are the styloglossus and the hyoglossus. The styloglossus runs from the styloid process to the sides of the tongue and, when it contracts, pulls the tongue back and upward, helping to retract the base. The hyoglossus comes from the hyoid bone to the sides of the tongue and, when it contracts, depresses and pulls the tongue back as well.

In contrast, the genioglossus mainly protrudes the tongue, not retracts the base, while the palatoglossus elevates the posterior tongue and helps seal the oral cavity rather than actively retracting the base. So the combination that best explains tongue base retraction is styloglossus and hyoglossus.