The MRI appearance of myloglossus

Abstract

Purpose: This case report describes the MRI appearance and significance of the myloglossus muscle, a variant extrinsic tongue muscle.

Methods: The myloglossus muscle was incidentally discovered on imaging performed for head and neck cancer evaluation.

Results: The myloglossus is best visualized on non-fat saturated T2 MRI and has signal characteristics that match those of muscle. It originates at the angle of the mandible and inserts into the tongue between the styloglossus and hyoglossus.

Conclusion: Accurate identification and delineation of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the myloglossus, is essential for proper staging and treatment of head and neck cancers. This case report attempts to fill a void in depicting the MRI appearance of myloglossus muscle.

Keywords: AJCC/UICC staging system; Extrinsic muscles; Head and neck cancers; MRI appearance; Muscle anatomy; Muscle variations; Myloglossus; Signal characteristics; Tongue muscles; Tumor invasion.