Final answer:
The superficial face motor nerves are associated with the facial nerve: CNVII (7), which controls motor functions of the face and contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers. Cranial nerves can have sensory, motor, or mixed functions and are integral to the functioning of the senses and facial expressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cranial Nerves and their Functions
The superficial face motor nerves correspond to the facial nerve: CNVII. This means the correct answer to the student's question is (a) Facial nerve: CNVII (7).
The facial nerve, or CNVII, is responsible not only for motor control of facial expressions but also contains preganglionic parasympathetic fibers important for functions such as lacrimal and salivary gland secretion. Within the scope of cranial nerves, we have those that are purely sensory, like the olfactory (CNI), optic (CNII), and vestibulocochlear (CNVIII) nerves. Others are mostly motor, such as the oculomotor (CNIII), trochlear (CNIV), and abducens (CNVI). Then, there are nerves that serve both motor and sensory capacities, including the trigeminal (CNV), facial (CNVII), glossopharyngeal (CNIX), and vagus (CNX) nerves.
The cranial nerves are essential for a variety of functions ranging from the special senses, like smell, vision, and taste, to motor functions such as eye movement and facial expressions, to parasympathetic functions controlling various organs.