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Oral Surgery · single question

Taste sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is provided by:

  1. Chorda tympani (branch of the facial nerve, CN VII)
  2. Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
  3. Trigeminal nerve (CN V, lingual branch)
  4. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Chorda tympani (branch of the facial nerve, CN VII)

  • A. Correct. The chorda tympani (a branch of the facial nerve, CN VII) carries TASTE (special sensory) from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue. It joins the lingual nerve (CN V3) to travel to the tongue. Note: the lingual nerve provides GENERAL sensation (touch, temperature, pain) to the anterior 2/3 tongue, NOT taste.
  • B. CN XII (hypoglossal) is purely MOTOR to the tongue muscles — no sensory function.
  • C. The lingual nerve (CN V3) provides general sensation to the anterior 2/3 tongue — NOT taste. Taste is carried by the chorda tympani traveling WITH the lingual nerve.
  • D. CN IX (glossopharyngeal) provides taste AND general sensation to the POSTERIOR 1/3 tongue.

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