Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for taste at the tip of the tongue?

Which of the following cranial nerves is responsible for taste at the tip of the tongue?

• A. Vagus nerve
• B. Glossopharyngeal nerve
• C. Facial nerve
• D. Trigeminal nerve

Answer: (C)

The facial nerve is responsible for taste at the tip of the tongue. This cranial nerve, specifically through its chorda tympani branch, innervates the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, which includes the area at the tip where most of the taste sensation occurs. The taste buds in this region respond to different flavors and send signals to the brain via the facial nerve. In contrast, other cranial nerves serve different functions or areas related to taste. The vagus nerve is primarily involved in autonomic functions and provides some sensory innervation to the throat but is not responsible for taste at the tip of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve is associated with taste on the posterior one-third of the tongue, making it relevant for sensations at that area rather than the tip. The trigeminal nerve primarily carries sensory information from the face and is involved in sensations like touch and pain, but it does not directly convey taste sensations.

The facial nerve is responsible for taste at the tip of the tongue. This cranial nerve, specifically through its chorda tympani branch, innervates the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, which includes the area at the tip where most of the taste sensation occurs. The taste buds in this region respond to different flavors and send signals to the brain via the facial nerve.

In contrast, other cranial nerves serve different functions or areas related to taste. The vagus nerve is primarily involved in autonomic functions and provides some sensory innervation to the throat but is not responsible for taste at the tip of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve is associated with taste on the posterior one-third of the tongue, making it relevant for sensations at that area rather than the tip. The trigeminal nerve primarily carries sensory information from the face and is involved in sensations like touch and pain, but it does not directly convey taste sensations.