What three cranial nerves control the gustatory responses?

The gustatory responses, or the sense of taste, are primarily controlled by three cranial nerves: the facial nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve, and the vagus nerve. The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) innervates the posterior one-third of the tongue and is crucial for taste perception in that area. The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) also plays a minor role in taste sensation, especially in regions such as the pharynx and epiglottis.

Other options presented involve cranial nerves that do not serve functions related to taste. For instance, the optic nerve is concerned with vision, while the vestibulocochlear nerve is involved in hearing and balance. The oculomotor nerve primarily controls eye movements, and the trigeminal nerve is mainly responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing, not taste. The accessory nerve mainly serves motor functions in neck movement. Therefore, the correct answer focuses on the cranial nerves specifically linked to the sense of taste, which clarifies their role in the gustatory system.