[citation needed] It arises from (the anterior and lateral surfaces of) the styloid process of the temporal bone near its apex, and from the stylomandibular ligament.

[citation needed] It passes anterioinferiorly from its origin to its insertion between the internal carotid artery and the external carotid artery,[citation needed] and between the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and the middle pharyngeal constrictor muscle.

[citation needed] 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] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1130 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)