Nerve which lies in association to Whaon’s duct is
**Core Concept**
The question requires knowledge of the anatomical association between nerves and salivary glands, specifically the parotid gland and Wharton's duct. The parotid gland is a major salivary gland located in the preauricular region, and Wharton's duct is the excretory duct of the submandibular gland.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is responsible for the sensory innervation of the face, including the parotid gland and Wharton's duct. The auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, provides sensory innervation to the parotid gland and also conveys parasympathetic fibers from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland via the greater superficial petrosal nerve. The association between the auriculotemporal nerve and Wharton's duct is due to the close proximity of these structures in the infratemporal fossa.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the lingual nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve, provides sensory innervation to the tongue and the floor of the mouth, but not to Wharton's duct.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) is responsible for the motor innervation of the muscles of facial expression, but not for the sensory innervation of Wharton's duct.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) provides sensory innervation to the posterior one-third of the tongue, but not to Wharton's duct.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The auriculotemporal nerve is a classic example of a nerve that conveys both sensory and parasympathetic fibers, highlighting the complex relationships between the trigeminal nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system.
**Correct Answer:** C.