Lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture (LP), sometimes called a spinal tap, is a medical procedure carried out to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) – which is the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord – by inserting a needle between two bones in your lower spine (vertebrae). CSF is produced constantly, so the small amount removed during an LP is quickly replaced.

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Lumbar Puncture

File type: application/pdf Review date: February 2025