Which cranial nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue?

The cranial nerve responsible for the movement of the tongue is the hypoglossal nerve, which is cranial nerve XII. This nerve primarily innervates the muscles of the tongue, allowing for voluntary movements necessary for actions like speaking, swallowing, and manipulating food within the mouth. The motor function of the hypoglossal nerve is crucial for these activities, as it enables the precision and range of motion required for complex tongue movements.

In contrast, the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is primarily responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing rather than tongue movement. The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) innervates muscles of facial expression and has some role in pathways for taste but does not control tongue movement. The glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) has functions that include taste and salivation but does not directly innervate the tongue's muscular movements. Hence, the hypoglossal nerve is uniquely positioned as the primary controller of tongue movement.