The sensory ganglion for CN VII is called which?

• A. Otic
• B. Geniculate
• C. Superior
• D. Pterygopalatine

Answer: (B)

The sensory ganglion of the facial nerve is the geniculate ganglion. This cluster of cell bodies sits in the facial canal at the bend of the nerve (the geniculum) and houses the sensory neurons for taste from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue (carried by chorda tympani) and other sensory fibers associated with CN VII. It is distinct from other facial nerve-related ganglia like the pterygopalatine ganglion (parasympathetic relay to lacrimal and nasal glands) and the otic ganglion (parasympathetic relay for CN IX). The geniculate ganglion is specifically the site where these sensory neuron cell bodies reside, making it the correct label for CN VII’s sensory ganglion.