Which cranial nerve is responsible for movements of the tongue?

The hypoglossal nerve, which is cranial nerve XII, is the primary nerve responsible for controlling the movements of the tongue. It innervates the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, allowing for complex movements necessary for speech, swallowing, and manipulation of food. The functioning of this nerve is essential for articulate speech and effective chewing.

In contrast, the other cranial nerves listed serve different functions: the accessory nerve is primarily involved in shoulder and neck movement, the trigeminal nerve is responsible for facial sensation and the motor functions of mastication, and the facial nerve controls muscles of facial expression and taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Thus, the hypoglossal nerve specifically enables tongue movements, highlighting its crucial role in oral motor control.