Which nerve provides taste sensation to the posterior tongue?

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Multiple Choice

Which nerve provides taste sensation to the posterior tongue?

Taste sensation from the posterior third of the tongue is carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). The taste fibers from that region travel with this nerve to the brainstem, ending up in the solitary nucleus for taste processing. In addition to taste, CN IX also provides general sensation from the posterior tongue and supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle. The other nerves handle taste in other regions or types of sensation: the facial nerve carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (via the chorda tympani), the vagus nerve carries taste from the epiglottis and parts of the pharynx, and the trigeminal nerve provides general somatic sensation (not taste) from the tongue rather than taste itself.

Taste sensation from the posterior third of the tongue is carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX). The taste fibers from that region travel with this nerve to the brainstem, ending up in the solitary nucleus for taste processing. In addition to taste, CN IX also provides general sensation from the posterior tongue and supplies the stylopharyngeus muscle.

The other nerves handle taste in other regions or types of sensation: the facial nerve carries taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (via the chorda tympani), the vagus nerve carries taste from the epiglottis and parts of the pharynx, and the trigeminal nerve provides general somatic sensation (not taste) from the tongue rather than taste itself.

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