When performing a biopsy of the tongue, which single nerve must be anesthetized for sensation of the anterior two-thirds?

The lingual nerve carries general sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and is the nerve to anesthetize for a biopsy there.Other options: The hypoglossal nerve is motor to the tongue; the facial nerve (via chorda tympani) carries taste, not general sensation; the glossopharyngeal nerve supplies the posterior third.Key exam takeaway: Anterior two-thirds tongue general sensation = lingual nerve (taste = chorda tympani of facial).