A patient has a painful ulcer on the tip of his tongue. Which of the following cranial nerves carries the pain sensation he experiences?
The innervation of the tongue is complex. The mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (V3) carries general somatic sensation from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The maxillary division carries somatic sensation from the palate, upper gums, and upper lip. The facial nerve carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve carries sensation and taste from the posterior one-third of the tongue.
XII
V
VII
IX