lumbar puncture

noun

: puncture of the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region of the spinal cord to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid or inject anesthetic drugs

Examples of lumbar puncture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For him, the worst parts of his treatment from 2022 to 2023 were the monthly visits for a lumbar puncture, when the medical team would insert a needle into his back to collect cerebrospinal fluid and administer a chemotherapy treatment directly into his spine. —Amy Bizzarri, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2025

The medication is administered into the spinal fluid via a lumbar puncture every few weeks. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 18 Mar. 2025

Not a muscle spasm, after all, but a post lumbar puncture headache. —Katie Gutierrez, TIME, 19 Sep. 2024

The dura can be damaged from head injuries or punctured during surgical procedures involving the sinuses, brain or spine, such as lumbar puncture, epidurals, spinal anesthesia or myelogram. —Danielle Wilhour, Discover Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lumbar puncture

• acupuncture
• venipuncture
• conjuncture
• disjuncture
• juncture

Medical Definition

lumbar puncture

noun

: puncture of the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region of the spinal cord to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid or inject anesthetic drugs

called also spinal tap