In the assessment of motor response, which action involves the patient sticking out their tongue?

In the context of assessing motor response and neurological function, having a patient stick out their tongue is part of evaluating the functionality of the facial nerve. The facial nerve, cranial nerve VII, controls the muscles of facial expression as well as certain functions of taste and salivation. Although the action of sticking out the tongue primarily evaluates the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII), part of a thorough neurological examination may also involve assessing facial symmetry and strength in various movements, which could include facial actions that indirectly engage the role of the facial nerve.

During a clinical assessment, a healthcare professional might ask a patient to perform various tasks that require the use of facial muscles, and this can include gestures such as sticking out the tongue. The purpose is to evaluate the motor function related to cranial nerves and identify any deficits or abnormalities.

The other choices involve different types of assessments: checking strength typically refers to the assessment of limb strength; cardinal gaze evaluation tests the extraocular movements controlled by cranial nerves III, IV, and VI; and pupillary response involves checking the direct and consensual responses of pupils to light. Each of these serves the purpose of examining various aspects of nervous function but does not pertain directly to the motor response of sticking out