lumbar puncture

American  

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. puncture into the arachnoid membrane of the spinal cord, in the lumbar region, and withdrawal of spinal fluid, performed for diagnosis of the fluid, injection of dye for imaging, or administration of anesthesia or medication.

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lumbar puncture British  

noun

1. med insertion of a hollow needle into the lower region of the spinal cord to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid, introduce drugs, etc

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lumbar puncture Scientific  

1. The insertion of a hollow needle beneath the arachnoid membrane of the spinal cord in the lumbar region to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes or to administer medication.

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Etymology

Origin of lumbar puncture

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Her parents thought it could be sepsis, but after being rushed back to hospital, a lumbar puncture confirmed she had MenB.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

He received his first treatment through a lumbar puncture procedure at Altnagelvin Hospital in mid-August.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2025

Mass General Brigham experts in neurosurgery, cancer and pathology worked together to develop a rapid, genotyping test that can detect key mutations associated with brain cancers from samples taken during a lumbar puncture.

From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2024

Meningitis testing includes an MRI and a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2023

The clinical features are similar to those of acute general lepto-meningitis, and in sporadic cases the diagnosis is only completed by discovering the diplococcus intracellularis in the fluid withdrawn by lumbar puncture.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander