脳神経(のうしんけい)

のうしんけい
noun
cranial nerve, brain and nerves
formalhealthbody-internal
1. cranial nerve
Any of the twelve pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain (rather than the spinal cord). They control functions such as sight, hearing, smell, facial movement, and swallowing.
脳神経(のうしんけい)は全部(ぜんぶ)で12対(つい)ある。
There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves in total.
脳神経(のうしんけい)の検査(けんさ)で異常(いじょう)が見(み)つかった。
An abnormality was found in the cranial nerve examination.
三叉(さんさ)神経(しんけい)は第(だい)5脳神経(のうしんけい)で、顔(かお)の感覚(かんかく)をつかさどっている。
The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve and controls facial sensation.
2. brain and nerves, neurology
A general term referring to the brain and nervous system as a combined field, often used in medical department names and specializations.
脳神経(のうしんけい)外科(げか)を受診(じゅしん)した。
I visited the neurosurgery department.
脳神経(のうしんけい)内科(ないか)は脳卒中(のうそっちゅう)や認知症(にんちしょう)を診(み)る。
The neurology department treats strokes and dementia.
頭痛(ずつう)がひどいので、脳神経(のうしんけい)外科(げか)で精密(せいみつ)検査(けんさ)を受(う)けることにした。
Since my headaches are severe, I decided to get a detailed examination at the neurosurgery department.

A compound of 脳(のう) (brain) + 神経(しんけい) (nerve). Has two distinct but related uses: as a specific anatomical term for the 12 cranial nerves, and as a general term for the brain-and-nerve medical field.

Common collocations

  • 脳神経(のうしんけい)外科(げか): neurosurgery
  • 脳神経(のうしんけい)内科(ないか): neurology (internal medicine)
  • 脳神経(のうしんけい)の検査(けんさ): cranial nerve examination
  • 末梢(まっしょう)脳神経(のうしんけい): peripheral cranial nerve

The 12 cranial nerves

In medical study, the 12 pairs are numbered with Roman numerals (I-XII). Key ones include:

general
Added 2026.3.31 4:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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