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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
If meningitis is suspected, the healthcare provider will obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using a lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap).
—Brigid Dwyer, Verywell Health, 2 July 2024
Pen-and-paper cognitive tests remain the most common diagnostic method; only 2 percent of patients undergo the gold standard test—lumbar puncture and PET brain scans.
—João Medeiros, WIRED, 24 June 2024
Yet the best ways of diagnosing Alzheimer’s are either expensive (PET scans can cost $3,000) or invasive (cerebrospinal fluid can be obtained only through a lumbar puncture).
—TIME, 2 May 2024
According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, only 20% to 50% of people with the disease receive a formal diagnosis, and that’s just in high-income countries.
Not to mention, current diagnostic tests — lumbar punctures and PET scans — are extremely expensive and invasive.
—Julia Daye, Miami Herald, 14 Feb. 2024
But there were no clear signs of infection on any of his tests, besides the lumbar test, which could have just been caused by a traumatic lumbar puncture.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 24 Jan. 2024
But currently, the two primary ways to diagnose Alzheimer’s—PET imaging or a lumbar puncture—are either too expensive or invasive for most people, leaving too many cases undiagnosed.
—TIME, 24 Jan. 2024
Other tests may include tissue sampling or a spinal tap called a lumbar puncture during which fluid is removed from two bones in the lower spine for testing.
—Clare Fisher, Peoplemag, 11 Jan. 2024
Health care providers are advised to give anyone exposed a lumbar puncture to look for signs of infection.
—Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 30 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lumbar puncture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near lumbar puncture
Cite this Entry
“Lumbar puncture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lumbar%20puncture. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on lumbar puncture
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lumbar puncture
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