Washington Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which nerve contributes to facial sensation?

1. The temporal nerve

2. The facial nerve

3. The phrenic nerve

4. The vagus nerve

The correct answer is: The temporal nerve

The correct choice regarding which nerve contributes to facial sensation is associated with the trigeminal nerve, specifically its branches. The temporal nerve is one of these branches, providing sensation to certain areas of the face. It innervates the forehead and much of the scalp, thus playing a significant role in facial sensory functions. The facial nerve, while important for controlling facial muscles and expressions, primarily serves motor functions rather than sensory. Similarly, the phrenic nerve is crucial for diaphragm movement and respiratory function, and the vagus nerve is involved in autonomic functions within the body, neither of which contribute to facial sensation. Therefore, the selected choice indicating the temporal nerve reflects its relevance in providing sensory input from parts of the face.