A patient had a basal cell carcinoma removed from his cheek 2 years ago. He now presents with slight facial paralysis and difficulty tasting. Which nerve is most likely damaged?

Correct answer: A. Facial nerve (CN VII)

• A. CORRECT. The facial nerve (CN VII) runs through the parotid gland region and innervates the muscles of facial expression. Its chorda tympani branch carries taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. A tumor or its treatment in the cheek/parotid region can injure CN VII, producing facial paralysis and ipsilateral taste loss over the anterior tongue.
• B. The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) carries taste from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue and is not implicated by cheek/parotid pathology.
• C. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) controls tongue movement, not facial muscles or taste.
• D. The trigeminal nerve provides general sensation to the face but does not control facial muscles or carry taste (except through the chorda tympani, which joins CN V3 — but the nerve damaged here is CN VII, whose branch rides with V3).