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

All the volunteers will have the current gold-standard tests for Alzheimer's which involve a specialised brain PET scan using a radioactive tracer, or a lumbar puncture to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid.

From BBC

But his parents said his "battles kept coming" with Kobi developing meningitis and each day bringing a new fear with blood transfusions, lumbar punctures and scans.

From BBC

Previously, the only way to confirm Alzheimer's was by specialist PET brain scans and lumbar punctures to extract cerebrospinal fluid.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC