Muscles of the Floor of the Mouth

What is the primary action of the mylohyoid muscle?

What type of epithelium is present in the lining mucosa?

Which nerve supplies the mylohyoid muscle?

Which of the following structures may be present in the lamina propria of the lining mucosa?

What action is primarily performed by the hypoglossus muscle?

What is a common clinical appearance associated with the lining mucosa?

Which muscle assists in swallowing by pulling the hyoid bone anteriorly and superiorly?

Which artery is primarily responsible for the blood supply to the hypoglossus muscle?

What is a characteristic feature of the submucosa associated with the lining mucosa?

What is a condition that may be indicated by the presence of sialoliths?

What type of epithelium is found in the hard palate?

Which structure is prominent in the soft palate?

What type of connective tissue is characteristic of the hard palate?

What physiological feature is associated with the soft palate?

Which of the following best describes the mucosa type covering the hard palate?

Muscles of the Floor of the Mouth (FOM)

Mylohyoid:
- Origin: Mylohyoid line of the mandible
- Insertion: Body of the hyoid bone and midline raphe
- Action: Elevates the floor of the mouth and the hyoid bone during swallowing.
- Nerve Supply: Mylohyoid nerve (a branch of CN V₃)
- Blood Supply: Sublingual artery and facial artery
Hypoglossus:
- Origin: Body and greater horn of the hyoid bone
- Insertion: Sides of the tongue
- Action: Depresses the tongue
- Nerve Supply: Hypoglossal nerve
- Blood Supply: Lingual artery
Geniohyoid:
- Origin: Inferior mental spine of the mandible
- Insertion: Body of the hyoid bone
- Action: Pulls hyoid bone anteriorly and superiorly, assists in swallowing.
- Nerve Supply: C1 through the hypoglossal nerve
- Blood Supply: Hypoglossal artery, Sublingual artery

Histological Structure of the FOM

FOM:
- Appearance: Smooth moist surface, may have sublingual papillae, may show sialoliths (calciﬁed structures also known as salivary stones that form in the salivary glands or their ducts) or oral mucosal lesions.
- Type of Mucosa: Lining Mucosa
- Epithelium: Non keratinized stratiﬁed squamous epithelium
- Lamina Propria: Loose connective tissue with glands (sublingual and submandibular glands)
- Submucosa: Generally loose connective tissue without significant fat.
Hard Palate:
- Appearance: Firm and keratinized surface, may show palatine rugae (Ridges of mucous membrane).
- Type of Mucosa: Masticatory Mucosa
- Epithelium: Keratinized stratiﬁed squamous epithelium
- Lamina Propria: Dense, regular connective tissue (referred to as palatine bone)
- Submucosa: Thin, may contain salivary glands (palatine glands)
Soft Palate:
- Appearance: Soft, ﬂexible surface, may show uvula and mucous gland openings.
- Type of Mucosa: Lining Mucosa
- Epithelium: Non keratinized stratiﬁed squamous epithelium
- Lamina Propria: Loose connective tissue with more elastic fibers.
- Submucosa: Contains muscle, and more prominent minor salivary glands.

This quiz explores the anatomy of the muscles that form the floor of the mouth. It covers specific muscles such as the Mylohyoid, Hypoglossus, and Geniohyoid, including their origins, insertions, actions, nerve supplies, and blood supplies. Test your knowledge on their histological structures and functions in swallowing.