Which nerve affects taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?

The facial nerve is responsible for the sensation of taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. This nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII, plays a crucial role in conveying taste sensations to the brain from this specific region of the tongue. It carries taste fibers that originate in the taste buds located in the anterior part of the tongue, providing essential information about flavors to the central nervous system.

Understanding the anatomical pathways of the facial nerve helps clarify its function in the sensory system, especially in relation to taste perception. The other nerves listed do not specialize in taste from this area of the tongue; for example, the trigeminal nerve primarily carries sensory information such as pain and temperature from the face, while the glossopharyngeal nerve is mainly responsible for taste from the posterior third of the tongue, and the hypoglossal nerve is involved in motor control of the tongue muscles and does not transmit taste sensations.