Which cranial nerve is responsible for controlling the movements of the tongue?

The hypoglossal nerve is responsible for controlling the movements of the tongue. It is the twelfth cranial nerve and primarily innervates the muscles that allow for the complex motor functions of the tongue, which include speaking, swallowing, and manipulating food. This nerve ensures that our speech is articulate and that we can effectively manage the movement and positioning of food in the mouth.

In contrast, the accessory spinal nerve is primarily involved in shoulder and neck movement, the facial nerve is mainly responsible for facial expressions and some aspects of taste, and the trigeminal nerve primarily deals with sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing. Therefore, the hypoglossal nerve is uniquely suited for tongue movement, making it the correct answer to the question.