Numbness may be subjective, may be bilateral, and may involve the central nervous system.

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Numbness is a subjective sensation reported by the patient and does not have to be limited to one side. It can be bilateral when a process affects sensory pathways on both sides or involves central structures, and it can reflect central nervous system involvement when lesions in the brain or spinal cord disrupt somatosensory processing. Because of this, the statement that numbness may be subjective, may be bilateral, and may involve the CNS accurately captures the range of possible presentations. Numbness is not inherently restricted to being unilateral, nor is CNS involvement excluded, and it can occur with or without peripheral nerve findings.