The name of the zone derives from an estate, the Tenuta di Cerbaro, that was used in the Middle Age as a hunting ground for deer (cervi in Latin and in Italian).

To the east, Tor Cervara also shares a short border with Zona Acqua Vergine (Z. IX), which is outlined by the stretch of the GRA between the river Aniene and the A24.

Southward, the zone borders with Zona Tor Sapienza (Z. VIII), from which is separated by the stretch of the A24 between the GRA and Viale Palmiro Togliatti.

Westward, Tor Cervara borders with Quartiere Collatino (Q. XXII), from which is separated by the stretch of Viale Palmiro Togliatti between the A24 and Via Tiburtina.

In the northern part of the zone, near the border with Quartiere San Basilio, a few streets are named after towns of Lazio and local industrialists.