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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.


Etymology

Origin of lumbar puncture

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Participants received doses of up to 70mg of zorevunersen through a lumbar puncture.

From Science Daily Mar. 4, 2026

Tests were carried out including a lumbar puncture and an MRI and probes were fitted to his scalp to monitor the seizures.

From BBC Jan. 20, 2025

It includes daily oral chemotherapy, monthly chemotherapy through her portacath - a small device that's under the skin to give long term access to a vein - and a lumbar puncture every three months.

From BBC Oct. 26, 2024

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

From Seattle Times May 24, 2023

This condition only calls for mention here as attempts have been made to treat it by surgical measures, such as lumbar puncture, or drainage through the occipital fossa.

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

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