lumbar puncture
lumbar puncture
1890–95
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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| the bone of the lower jaw. |
| the first or innermost digit of the foot of humans and other primates or of the hind foot of other mammals; great toe; big toe. |
| lumbar puncture | |
| —n | |
| med insertion of a hollow needle into the lower region of the spinal cord to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid, introduce drugs, etc | |
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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lumbar puncture n.
Puncture into the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Also called rachicentesis, rachiocentesis, spinal puncture, spinal tap.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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| 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. |
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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lumbar puncture
direct aspiration (fluid withdrawal) of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through a hollow needle. The needle is inserted in the lower back, usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae, into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord where the CSF is located. Lumbar puncture is generally performed to obtain pressure measurements and to withdraw CSF in order to secure a sample of CSF for cellular, chemical, and bacteriologic examination; to administer spinal anesthetics or antibiotics; to inject air or a radiopaque or water-soluble contrast medium substance for myelography; or to inject a radioactive substance to assist in the diagnosis of CSF leak or hydrocephalus.
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