Neurology

Lumbar puncture

Also called: Spinal tap

What does Lumbar puncture mean?

A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the lower back to collect cerebrospinal fluid or measure pressure.

U.S. National Library of Medicine
Understanding Medical Words ↗ National Cancer Institute
Cancer Terms Dictionary ↗ CDC
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This is a plain-language Healthway explanation, not an individual diagnosis. The meaning of a term can change with the clinical context in which it appears.