Meanings
plural palatoglossi · alternative palatoglossal
- anatomyA 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: glossopalatinus
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA 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.
Origin
- New Latinpalātoglōssus
- Englishpalatoglossus
Borrowed from New Latin palātoglōssus, clipping of mūsculus palātoglōssus (“palatoglossal muscle”).
More words from New Latin
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with palatoglossus
All rhymes →Cite this entry
palatoglossus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/palatoglossus
“palatoglossus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/palatoglossus. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “palatoglossus,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/palatoglossus.
Source: palatoglossus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.