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What does CN mean in medical terms?

Published in Medical Abbreviation 1 min read

In medical terminology, CN commonly stands for cranial nerves.

Here's a breakdown:

Cranial Nerves

Cranial nerves are a set of twelve paired nerves that arise directly from the brain, as opposed to spinal nerves which arise from the spinal cord. They play crucial roles in a variety of functions including:

  • Sensory perception (sight, smell, taste, hearing, and balance)
  • Motor control of face, head, and neck muscles
  • Autonomic functions like heart rate and digestion


Here's a table summarizing the meaning of CN:

Abbreviation Meaning
CN cranial nerves


The reference also lists other meanings for CN but they are not as common and should be considered in context, such as:

  • CNS: Central nervous system
  • CNVM: Choroidal Neovascular Membranes

It's important to note that the interpretation of "CN" depends on the context of its use within medical documentation and discussion.

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