Which nerve is the major cutaneous nerve of the face?

Which nerve is the major cutaneous nerve of the face?

• A. CN VII
• B. CN V
• C. CN IX
• D. CN X

Answer: (B)

The face’s skin is mainly innervated by the trigeminal nerve, which provides general sensation through its three divisions—ophthalmic for the forehead and upper face, maxillary for the midface, and mandibular for the lower face and jaw. The trigeminal nerve carries these sensory fibers from the facial skin to the trigeminal (semilunar) ganglion and onward to the brain, making it the major cutaneous nerve of the face. The facial nerve is different: it’s primarily motor to the muscles of facial expression and also carries some special sensory fibers (taste) via other pathways; it does not supply the face’s cutaneous sensation to the same extent. The other nerves listed have roles outside facial skin innervation.

The face’s skin is mainly innervated by the trigeminal nerve, which provides general sensation through its three divisions—ophthalmic for the forehead and upper face, maxillary for the midface, and mandibular for the lower face and jaw. The trigeminal nerve carries these sensory fibers from the facial skin to the trigeminal (semilunar) ganglion and onward to the brain, making it the major cutaneous nerve of the face.

The facial nerve is different: it’s primarily motor to the muscles of facial expression and also carries some special sensory fibers (taste) via other pathways; it does not supply the face’s cutaneous sensation to the same extent. The other nerves listed have roles outside facial skin innervation.