Final answer:
The phrenic nerve is responsible for hiccups, triggered by its control of the diaphragm. Notably, other nerves like the trigeminal and facial serve functions in gag reflex and taste respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nerve responsible for hiccups is the phrenic nerve. Hiccups occur when there is involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and is essential for breathing. The phrenic nerve controls the movements of the diaphragm, so when this nerve is irritated or stimulated, it can cause the diaphragm to spasm, leading to hiccups.
To answer related questions: the nerve responsible for controlling the muscles that result in the gag reflex is the trigeminal nerve. Taste, as well as salivation, in the anterior oral cavity is facilitated by the facial nerve. The nerve that projects to the hypothalamus to indicate the level of light stimuli in the retina is the oculomotor nerve. The cochlear nerve carries auditory information to the brain. The cranial nerve that contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers is the facial nerve, CN VII. Lastly, the trigeminal ganglion is not under the direct control of the peripheral nervous system.