lumbar puncture

noun

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.
Also called spinal tap.

Origin of lumbar puncture

First recorded in 1890–95

Words nearby lumbar puncture

lumbar ganglion, lumbar hernia, lumbar iliocostal muscle, lumbar nerve, lumbar plexus, lumbar puncture, lumbar quadrate muscle, lumbar rib, lumbar splanchnic nerve, lumbar triangle, lumbar vein

British Dictionary definitions for lumbar puncture

lumbar puncture

noun

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

Medical definitions for lumbar puncture

lumbar puncture

n.

Puncture into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. rachicentesis rachiocentesis spinal puncture spinal tap

Scientific definitions for lumbar puncture

lumbar puncture

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.