Through which nerve is posterior tongue taste conveyed?

Through which nerve is posterior tongue taste conveyed?

• A. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) carries taste from posterior one-third; vagus also carries taste from epiglottis area
• B. Facial nerve (CN VII)
• C. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
• D. Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Answer: (A)

Taste from the posterior third of the tongue is carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). This nerve transmits the taste signals from those taste buds to the brainstem. The facial nerve handles taste from the anterior two-thirds via the chorda tympani, while the trigeminal nerve provides general sensation (not taste). The hypoglossal nerve only motor-to-tongue muscles, and the vagus nerve carries taste from the epiglottis (not primarily from the posterior tongue). So for the posterior tongue, CN IX is the correct conduit.

Taste from the posterior third of the tongue is carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). This nerve transmits the taste signals from those taste buds to the brainstem. The facial nerve handles taste from the anterior two-thirds via the chorda tympani, while the trigeminal nerve provides general sensation (not taste). The hypoglossal nerve only motor-to-tongue muscles, and the vagus nerve carries taste from the epiglottis (not primarily from the posterior tongue). So for the posterior tongue, CN IX is the correct conduit.