Which area is primarily supplied by the lingual nerve?

The lingual nerve primarily supplies sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. This nerve is a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). It provides sensory innervation which includes the perception of taste and touch in that specific area of the oral cavity.

The anterior two-thirds of the tongue is distinguished from the posterior one-third, which is innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve, while the other choices relate to areas that are supplied by different nerves. For instance, the posterior third of the tongue is served by the glossopharyngeal nerve, the buccal mucosa and hard palate mainly get their sensory innervation from the buccal branch of the mandibular nerve, and the soft palate and uvula are innervated by the vagus nerve (and to some extent, the mandibular nerve). Thus, the lingual nerve’s specific role in supplying the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and the floor of the mouth makes this choice the most accurate.