Lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture (often called spinal tap, by non-doctors) is a medical method to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (fluid from the brain). This can be done to analyse the sample, to find some hints to diseases. It can also be done to lower the pressure of the fluid inside the skull.

Lumbar Puncture Media

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  Illustration depicting lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

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  Spinal needles used in lumbar puncture

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  Illustration depicting common positions for lumbar puncture procedure

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  Lumbar puncture in a child suspected of having meningitis

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  Lumbar puncture, early 20th century