The styloglossus draws up the sides of the tongue to create a trough for swallowing. Acting bilaterally (both styloglossus muscles contracting simultaneously) they also aid in retracting the tongue.[citation needed]
Additional images
Left temporal bone. Outer surface.
Muscles of the neck. Anterior view.
The internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Right side.
Course and distribution of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves.
Hypoglossal nerve, cervical plexus, and their branches.