A Person with Damage to ___________ Has the Weakest Blink

Question

A person with damage to ___________ has the weakest blink.
A) the facial nerve
B) the vagus nerve
C) cranial nerve II
D) cranial nerve VIII

Accepted Answer

The facial nerve controls the muscles that produce facial expressions, including the orbicularis oculi muscle responsible for blinking. Damage to this nerve can weaken or even paralyze the blink reflex, resulting in a weaker or absent blink. Damage to the other listed nerves (vagus, II, VIII) would not directly affect the blink reflex.