LUMBAR PUNCTURE Meaning and
Definition
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Lumbar puncture, also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure used to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It involves the insertion of a needle into the lumbar region of the spine, specifically the subarachnoid space, which surrounds the spinal cord and brain. The lumbar region is the lower part of the back, between the last thoracic vertebra and the first sacral vertebra.
The purpose of a lumbar puncture is to obtain a sample of CSF, which can be analyzed for various diagnostic tests, such as detecting infections, inflammation, or abnormalities in the central nervous system. It can also help measure the pressure of the CSF in conditions like hydrocephalus. In certain cases, therapeutic lumbar punctures can be performed to relieve increased pressure caused by excess CSF.
During the procedure, the patient is typically positioned lying on their side or sitting, with their back curved and knees drawn up to the chest. After a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area, a thin needle is carefully inserted between two lumbar vertebrae, usually between the third and fourth or fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Once in the subarachnoid space, CSF is collected using a syringe, and the needle is then safely removed.
Lumbar punctures are usually performed by trained healthcare professionals, such as neurologists, anesthesiologists, or radiologists, in a sterile and controlled environment. Potential risks, although rare, can include headaches, back pain, infection, bleeding, or nerve damage.
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• A puncture into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, made between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, in order to remove an excess of fluid, or a specimen of fluid for examination, or to inject an anesthetic solution.
• Corning's p., quincke's p., insertion of a hollow needle through the spinal membranes between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae in order to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LUMBAR PUNCTURE
- kumbar puncture
- pumbar puncture
- oumbar puncture
- lymbar puncture
- lhmbar puncture
- ljmbar puncture
- limbar puncture
- l8mbar puncture
- l7mbar puncture
- lunbar puncture
- lukbar puncture
- lujbar puncture
- lumvar puncture
- lumnar puncture
- lumhar puncture
- lumgar puncture
- lumbzr puncture
- lumbsr puncture
- lumbwr puncture
Etymology of LUMBAR PUNCTURE
The word "lumbar puncture" is comprised of two main parts: "lumbar" and "puncture".
1. "Lumbar" refers to the lumbar region of the spine, which is the lower part of the back, between the thoracic and sacral areas. This term comes from the Latin word "lumbus" meaning "loin" or "lower back".
2. "Puncture" comes from the Latin word "punctura", derived from the verb "pungere", meaning "to prick" or "to pierce".
Therefore, "lumbar puncture" essentially means "piercing or pricking the lower back", which accurately describes the medical procedure of inserting a needle into the lumbar region of the spine to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Similar spelling words for LUMBAR PUNCTURE
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