Which statement correctly identifies the gustatory innervation of tongue regions?

Which statement correctly identifies the gustatory innervation of tongue regions?

• A. Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is via CN IX; the posterior one-third via CN VII; and the epiglottis via CN X.
• B. Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is carried by CN IX; posterior one-third by CN VII; epiglottis by CN X.
• C. Taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is via CN VII; the posterior one-third is via CN IX; the epiglottis via CN X.
• D. Taste from the epiglottis is carried by CN XII.

Answer: (C)

Taste information from different parts of the tongue is carried by three different cranial nerves. The anterior two-thirds of the tongue send taste signals via the facial nerve (via the chorda tympani joining the lingual nerve). The posterior one-third sends taste signals via the glossopharyngeal nerve. Taste from the epiglottis travels with the vagus nerve, through its internal laryngeal branch. This pattern makes sense because the facial nerve handles taste from the front part of the tongue, the glossopharyngeal handles taste from the back, and the vagus handles taste in areas like the epiglottis. The hypoglossal nerve is involved in tongue movement, not taste, so it does not carry gustatory information.

Taste information from different parts of the tongue is carried by three different cranial nerves. The anterior two-thirds of the tongue send taste signals via the facial nerve (via the chorda tympani joining the lingual nerve). The posterior one-third sends taste signals via the glossopharyngeal nerve. Taste from the epiglottis travels with the vagus nerve, through its internal laryngeal branch. This pattern makes sense because the facial nerve handles taste from the front part of the tongue, the glossopharyngeal handles taste from the back, and the vagus handles taste in areas like the epiglottis. The hypoglossal nerve is involved in tongue movement, not taste, so it does not carry gustatory information.