Which set of cranial nerves carries parasympathetic preganglionic outflow from the brainstem?

• A III, IV, VI, XII
• B V, VII, IX, XI
• C III, VII, IX, X ✓
• D VII, VIII, IX, X

Explanation

The four cranial nerves carrying parasympathetic fibres are oculomotor (III, ciliary ganglion), facial (VII, pterygopalatine and submandibular ganglia), glossopharyngeal (IX, otic ganglion) and vagus (X, terminal ganglia in thorax and abdomen). The trigeminal nerve (option B) carries only sensory fibres and distributes some parasympathetic fibres to targets but never contains preganglionic parasympathetic neurons itself, which is the trap in that distractor.

Reference: Ganong Review of Medical Physiology, 26th ed.

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