What do the facial nerve fibers supply?

The correct answer pertains to the facial nerve fibers, which primarily supply the submandibular and sublingual glands among their parasympathetic innervations.

The facial nerve, or cranial nerve VII, is responsible for supplying the muscles of facial expression as well as providing taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. In terms of glandular innervation, it specifically conveys parasympathetic fibers that target the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. These fibers originate from the superior salivatory nucleus and travel through the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve, which then joins the lingual nerve before reaching these glands.

In contrast, other options include glands that are not innervated by the facial nerve, such as the parotid gland, which is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX). The lacrimal gland is also innervated by the facial nerve but does not relate to the submandibular gland in the same framework provided in the chosen answer, focusing specifically on salivary glands.

Thus, understanding the specific innervation pathways helps delineate the correct associations of glandular supply, solidifying that the facial nerve fibers indeed