 Cernusco sul Naviglio borders, clockwise from north, the municipalities of Carugate, Bussero, Cassina de’ Pecchi, Vignate, Rodano, Pioltello, Vimodrone, Cologno Monzese (all in the Metropolitan City of Milan), and Brugherio (in the province of Monza and Brianza).The "Naviglio della Martesana", an artificial canal built in the 15th century in order to link the Adda river to the city of Milan, is the only significant waterway in the municipality.The etymology of the toponym Cernusco (Latin "Cixinusculum") is uncertain