Electromyography of the genioglossus muscles in man

Abstract

Electromyographic recordings of integrated electrical activity from the genioglossus muscles of the tongues were made with intramuscular electrodes. The genioglossi tended to act together during lateral as well as forward movements of the tongue with the greatest electrical activity being observed when the tongue met resistance. There was little or no electrical activity recorded when the subject was speaking the words 4, 5, 6, and 7. The greatest activity was observed when the subject was speaking the words 3, 8, and?9 which involve the consonants t, th, and n. These sounds involve placing the tongue against the teeth or the lingual alveolar process.