Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sensation of touch in the face?

The trigeminal nerve is responsible for the sensation of touch in the face. It is the fifth cranial nerve and has three main branches: the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerves. Each of these branches innervates different regions of the face, transmitting sensations such as touch, pain, and temperature.

The trigeminal nerve plays a crucial role in facial sensation, including feeling and recognizing textures and the ability to discern light touch. This function is vital for various activities, such as eating and speaking, where facial feedback and recognition of textures are important.

In contrast, the olive nerve does not exist in the context of cranial nerves. The facial nerve primarily controls muscles of facial expression and taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue but does not directly handle the sensation of touch. The optic nerve is responsible for vision, processing visual information from the retina, and is unrelated to facial sensation. Thus, the trigeminal nerve's specific function of conveying touch sensations makes it the correct answer for this question.