SPINAL TAP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spinal tap mean? 

• SPINAL TAP (noun)
  The noun SPINAL TAP has 1 sense:

1. removal by centesis of fluid from the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region of the spinal cord for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

  Familiarity information: SPINAL TAP used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPINAL TAP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Removal by centesis of fluid from the subarachnoid space of the lumbar region of the spinal cord for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

lumbar puncture; spinal puncture; spinal tap

Hypernyms ("spinal tap" is a kind of...):

centesis ((surgery) the act of puncturing a body cavity or organ with a hollow needle in order to draw out fluid)

 Context examples 

Possible tests include nerve tests and a spinal tap.

(Guillain-Barre Syndrome, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Also called spinal tap.

(Lumbar puncture, NCI Dictionary)