Which cranial nerve provides taste sensation from the posterior one-third of the tongue?

• A Glossopharyngeal nerve ✓
• B Facial nerve (chorda tympani branch)
• C Vagus nerve (internal laryngeal branch)
• D Hypoglossal nerve

Explanation

The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) supplies taste to the posterior one-third of the tongue via its lingual branches and also provides general somatic sensation to the same area. The anterior two-thirds receive taste via the chorda tympani branch of CN VII. This anatomical division corresponds to embryological origin: the anterior tongue from the first arch and the posterior tongue from the third pharyngeal arch.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.