Final answer:
Cranial nerves VII (facial), IX (glossopharyngeal), and X (vagus) are associated with the gustatory system responsible for taste, controlling salivary glands, and contributing to visceral responses like the gag reflex.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cranial nerves VII (facial), IX (glossopharyngeal), and X (vagus) are associated with the sensory systems responsible for certain special senses. The cranial nerves, conveying sensory information from the head and neck, are mostly ipsilateral in their connections to the brain. The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) and the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) are both important for conveying the sense of taste (gustatory system), as well as controlling the salivary glands. The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X), while involved in autonomic functions, also plays a role in sensations related to taste, contributing to visceral responses such as the gag reflex.
These nerves serve dual functions, conveying sensory information specific to the gustatory system and supporting certain motor functions, such as facial expressions and salivation. In summary, cranial nerves VII, IX, and X are particularly relevant to the sensory system for taste and also have roles in salivary gland control and visceral responses.