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

The study included 416 people with Alzheimer’s disease who were randomly assigned to receive one of three different doses of diranersen or a placebo twice a year, delivered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid via a lumbar puncture. — Alice Park, Time, 15 July 2026

In some cases, doctors may also measure levels of a specific brain chemical through a lumbar puncture or spinal tap. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

No nurse had been responsible for the procedures involved in this care, including intubation, chest tubes, umbilical central lines, lumbar punctures, ventricular taps, and more. — Dawn Zuidgeest-Craft, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026

Last year, the FDA cleared the first blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, paving the way for a cheaper, less invasive alternative to lumbar punctures and PET scans. — Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

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