Which cranial nerve carries most sensory information from the face to the brain?

The trigeminal nerve carries most sensory information from the face to the brain.

It is the fifth cranial nerve, commonly labeled CN V, and has three major divisions: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. These branches convey touch, pain, temperature, and related sensation from much of the face, scalp, nasal cavity, oral cavity, and teeth.

The mandibular division also contains motor fibers that control several muscles of mastication. This mixed sensory-and-motor organization distinguishes the trigeminal nerve from nerves that are primarily sensory or primarily motor.

The facial nerve contributes to taste from the anterior tongue and carries motor commands to muscles of facial expression, so it is a frequent source of confusion. The trigeminal nerve’s large sensory root enters the pons and connects with an extensive brainstem sensory complex that extends into the medulla and upper cervical spinal cord.