Which cranial nerve is primarily involved in motor control of the tongue?

Which cranial nerve is primarily involved in motor control of the tongue?

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

Answer: (C)

The cranial nerve primarily involved in the motor control of the tongue is the hypoglossal nerve, which is designated as cranial nerve twelve (CN XII). This nerve is responsible for innervating the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, which are essential for various functions, including articulation, swallowing, and food manipulation. When the hypoglossal nerve activates the muscles of the tongue, it allows for precise movements necessary for speech and efficient swallowing. This motor control is crucial for forming sounds and articulating speech clearly. Damage to the hypoglossal nerve can lead to weakness or atrophy of the tongue, significantly impacting a person’s ability to speak and swallow. Other cranial nerves listed, such as the trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, and vagus nerve, serve different roles. The trigeminal nerve is primarily involved in sensation from the face and motor functions like chewing. The facial nerve controls the muscles of facial expression and conveys taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The vagus nerve plays a key role in autonomic control and voice production via laryngeal muscles rather than direct motor control of the tongue itself.

The cranial nerve primarily involved in the motor control of the tongue is the hypoglossal nerve, which is designated as cranial nerve twelve (CN XII). This nerve is responsible for innervating the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, which are essential for various functions, including articulation, swallowing, and food manipulation.

When the hypoglossal nerve activates the muscles of the tongue, it allows for precise movements necessary for speech and efficient swallowing. This motor control is crucial for forming sounds and articulating speech clearly. Damage to the hypoglossal nerve can lead to weakness or atrophy of the tongue, significantly impacting a person’s ability to speak and swallow.

Other cranial nerves listed, such as the trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, and vagus nerve, serve different roles. The trigeminal nerve is primarily involved in sensation from the face and motor functions like chewing. The facial nerve controls the muscles of facial expression and conveys taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The vagus nerve plays a key role in autonomic control and voice production via laryngeal muscles rather than direct motor control of the tongue itself.