Which nerve carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?

Which nerve carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?

• A. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
• B. Facial nerve (CN VII)
• C. Vagus nerve (CN X)
• D. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

Answer: (B)

Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is carried by the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). The chorda tympani hitchhikes with the lingual nerve (a branch of the trigeminal nerve, CN V3) to reach the taste buds in that region and transmit the gustatory signals to the brain via the solitary nucleus, then on to the thalamus and cortex. The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) carries taste from the posterior one-third, and the vagus nerve (CN X) carries taste from the epiglottis region. The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides general somatic sensation (not taste) from the anterior two-thirds via the lingual nerve.

Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is carried by the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve (CN VII). The chorda tympani hitchhikes with the lingual nerve (a branch of the trigeminal nerve, CN V3) to reach the taste buds in that region and transmit the gustatory signals to the brain via the solitary nucleus, then on to the thalamus and cortex. The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) carries taste from the posterior one-third, and the vagus nerve (CN X) carries taste from the epiglottis region. The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides general somatic sensation (not taste) from the anterior two-thirds via the lingual nerve.