The skin of the face is innervated by which nerve?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The trigeminal nerve (CN V) provides the sensory innervation of the facial skin.

Relevant knowledge points:
- Cranial nerve functions: CN V is the chief sensory nerve of the face; CN VII is primarily motor for facial expression (and carries taste), CN XII is motor for tongue muscles, and spinal nerves C2–C4 supply neck and posterior scalp regions, not the face.
- Trigeminal divisions: V1 (ophthalmic), V2 (maxillary), V3 (mandibular) each supply discrete cutaneous territories of the face.

Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Identify which cranial nerve carries facial skin sensation: CN V is known anatomically and clinically as the main sensory nerve for the face.
2. Break down its divisions to show complete facial coverage:
   - V1 (ophthalmic): forehead, upper eyelid, cornea, dorsum and tip of the nose.
   - V2 (maxillary): lower eyelid, cheek, side of the nose, upper lip, upper gingiva and teeth.
   - V3 (mandibular): lower lip, chin, lower face, lower teeth and gums, and general sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue.
3. Use clinical correlation: the corneal (blink) reflex has an afferent limb via V1 (trigeminal) and an efferent limb via CN VII (facial). Loss of facial skin sensation points to trigeminal pathology.

Why the correct answer is correct:
Because the trigeminal nerve’s three divisions collectively cover the entire skin of the face and provide tactile, pain and temperature sensation, it is the appropriate nerve for facial skin innervation.

Why other options are incorrect:
- Spinal nerves C2–C4: innervate neck and posterior scalp, not the facial skin territories.
- Facial nerve/CN VII: supplies motor innervation to muscles of facial expression and taste fibers, but not cutaneous sensation of the face.
- Hypoglossal nerve/CN XII: purely motor to tongue muscles, unrelated to facial skin sensation.

Conclusion: The correct answer is The trigeminal nerve/CN V, matching the provided answer.

The skin of the face is innervated by which nerve?单项选择题

类似问题

The trigeminal nerve has which of the following functions?

Damage to the nerve passing through the highlighted foramen would cause what deficit?

Which cranial nerve branch passes through the foramina indicated by the blue arrow in this image? [input]

If I have scheduled a holiday or employment during the University exam period which coincides with the date of the final exam, then

When is the final exam?

If I sit for the final exam, but feel like I could have done better, then

What pieces of assessment are due after Week 10?

True or False? Although I will attempt to submit online assessments early, if I experience a technical issue with the submission of online assessments that prevents me from submitting an assignment, I should follow the UNSW special consideration guidelines.

更多留学生实用工具

智能学习助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单