noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A small fleshy muscle, narrower in the middle than at either end, that arises from the soft palate on each side, contributes to the structure of the palatoglossal arch of the fauces, and is inserted into the side and dorsum of the tongue; it serves to raise the back of the tongue and constrict the fauces.

Synonyms

All synonyms

glossopalatinusglossopalatinus

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin palātoglōssus, clipping of mūsculus palātoglōssus (“palatoglossal muscle”).

Related phrases

soft palate

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.