Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for sensation in the face?

Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for sensation in the face?

• A. Cranial nerve II
• B. Cranial nerve VII
• C. Cranial nerve V
• D. Cranial nerve IX

Answer: (C)

Sensation in the face is carried primarily by the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. It provides somatic sensory fibers to the skin of the face, as well as the mucosa of the nose and mouth, via three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. The other nerves have different main roles—vision (optic nerve), muscles of facial expression (facial nerve) with only limited sensory areas, or sensation to the posterior tongue and pharynx (glossopharyngeal nerve). So the nerve that best matches facial sensation is the trigeminal nerve.

Sensation in the face is carried primarily by the trigeminal nerve, the fifth cranial nerve. It provides somatic sensory fibers to the skin of the face, as well as the mucosa of the nose and mouth, via three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. The other nerves have different main roles—vision (optic nerve), muscles of facial expression (facial nerve) with only limited sensory areas, or sensation to the posterior tongue and pharynx (glossopharyngeal nerve). So the nerve that best matches facial sensation is the trigeminal nerve.