Hypoglossal

All intrinsic muscles of the tongue are innervated by the Hypoglossal (CN XII) Nerve. “Glossal” is derived from the Latin word for tongue “glossa,” so this derivative can be used to remember that words associated with the tongue will have “glossal” in them. Glossopharyngeal also relates to the tongue, but is the nerve that regulates swallowing, as glossopharyngeal refers to both the mouth and the throat (pharyngeal/pharynx) along with the tongue. The Trochlear nerve is one of the cranial nerves that functions to control eye movement. The Trigeminal nerve is the nerve most commonly talked about in dentistry as it is the nerve that is responsible for transmitting sensory, motor, and other stimuli to the head and neck, but it does not supply the intrinsic muscles of the tongue.