Lumbar puncture,
also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal, most commonly to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic testing.A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) is performed in your lower back, in the lumbar region. During a lumbar puncture, a needle is inserted between two lumbar bones (vertebrae) to remove a sample of cerebrospinal fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord to protect them from injury.
It is done between lumber3 and lumber4 vertebra
take a sample of fluid from your spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) or measure the fluid's pressure – to help diagnose a condition.remove some fluid to reduce pressure in the skull or spine.
The CSF contains glucose (sugar), proteins, and other substances found in the . An examination of the fluid will show the number and types of white , the level of glucose, the types and levels of proteins, and the presence of bacteria, fungi, or abnormal cells.
testing the CSF can help in the diagnosis of disorders of the chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, central that may involve the , spinal cord, or their coverings (the meninges). , , -Barre syndrome, or of unknown origin are a few examples.