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

See Examples For:

lumbar puncture

After visiting an optician who identified a problem with his optic nerve and referred him to a neurologist, George received an MRI and lumbar puncture which confirmed his MS diagnosis in March 2022.

From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026

But first, Atlantis Hospital referred the toddler to Euracare for pre-flight investigations, including an MRI and a spinal tap, or lumbar puncture.

From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2026

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 withdrawal of 30 or 40 c.c. of cerebro-spinal fluid by lumbar puncture has also proved beneficial in the same way; Quenú strongly recommends repeated puncture in serious cases.

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