INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The hyoglossus muscle is responsible for depressing the tongue, meaning it pulls the tongue downwards towards the bottom of the mouth. Option A, the genioglossus muscle, is responsible for protruding and retracting the tongue. Option C, the palatoglossus muscle, helps raise the back of the tongue to close the opening between the oral cavity and the throat. Option D, the styloglossus muscle, helps retract and elevate the tongue. Therefore, these options are not correct because they do not perform the function of depressing the tongue.