Movement of the tongue is primarily controlled by which nucleus?

The movement of the tongue is primarily controlled by the hypoglossal nucleus, which is located in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. The hypoglossal nucleus contains the cell bodies of the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), which is responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles of the tongue. This includes intrinsic muscles that change the shape of the tongue and extrinsic muscles that control its position.

When the hypoglossal nerve is activated, it sends signals to these muscles, allowing for tasks such as tongue movement during speech, swallowing, and food manipulation. The localization of the hypoglossal nucleus and its direct role in motor function of the tongue make it the primary control center for tongue movement.

The other nuclei listed, while important in their own right, are not primarily responsible for controlling the movements of the tongue. The inferior salivatory nucleus is involved in salivation, the dorsal motor nucleus primarily regulates parasympathetic functions in the thoracic and abdominal organs, and the facial motor nucleus innervates muscles of facial expression, not the tongue.