Which cranial nerve is responsible for chewing and facial sensation?

The cranial nerve that is responsible for chewing and facial sensation is indeed the Trigeminal nerve. This nerve is the fifth cranial nerve (CN V) and has three major branches: the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches.

The Trigeminal nerve serves a dual function; it is primarily a sensory nerve responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face and mucous membranes, providing the sense of touch, pain, and temperature. Additionally, it has a motor function that innervates the muscles involved in mastication (chewing), making it crucial for both facial sensation and the act of chewing.

In contrast, the other cranial nerves listed serve different functions. The Trochlear nerve is involved in eye movement, the Vagus nerve controls functions such as heart rate and gastrointestinal activity, and the Abducens nerve primarily controls lateral eye movement. This distinct division of functions highlights why the Trigeminal nerve is specifically associated with both chewing and facial sensation.