What is a Spinal Tap?

Answer 1

its simple procedure to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for further analysis and diagnostic purposes

Answer 2

Spinal Tap is a mostly fictitious heavy metal band, the subject of the 1984 rockumentary/mockumentary film This Is Spinal Tap. The film was accompanied by a soundtrack album of the same name. In the years since the film was made the actors who portrayed the band members have played concerts and released music under the Spınal Tap name, blurring the line between parody and reality

OR

A spinal tap is a procedure performed when a doctor needs to look at the cerebrospinal fluid (also known as spinal fluid). Spinal tap is also referred to as a lumbar puncture, or LP.
Some of the reasons your doctor may want to do a spinal tap include the following:
To look for infection
To check to see if there is bleeding around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
To look for causes of unexplained seizures
To look for causes of headaches
Cerebrospinal fluid is a liquid that bathes the brain and spinal Cord. An adult has about 140 mL (just under 5 oz) of spinal fluid. Typically, an adult makes 30-100 mL of spinal fluid daily.


A spinal tap can be performed in any person and at any age from newborn to age 100 years and older.

Answer 3

A spinal tap is a procedure performed when a doctor needs to look at the cerebrospinal fluid (also known as spinal fluid). Spinal tap is also referred to as a lumbar puncture, or LP.


Some of the reasons your doctor may want to do a spinal tap include the following:


To look for infection


To check to see if there is bleeding around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage)


To look for causes of unexplained seizures


To look for causes of headaches


Cerebrospinal fluid is a liquid that bathes the brain and spinal cord. An adult has about 140 mL (just under 5 oz) of spinal fluid. Typically, an adult makes 30-100 mL of spinal fluid daily.


A spinal tap can be performed in any person and at any age from newborn to age 100 years and older.

Answer 4

A spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture, is a diagnostic procedure used to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid, which can be used to diagnose diseases such as meningitis.

In performing a lumbar puncture, first the patient is usually placed in a left (or right) lateral position with his/her neck bent in full flexion and knees bent in full flexion up to his/her chest, approximating a fetal position as much as possible. It is also possible to have the patient sit on a stool and bend his/her head and shoulders forward. The area around the lower back is prepared using aseptic technique. Once the appropriate location is palpated, local anaesthetic is infiltrated under the skin and then injected along the intended path of the spinal needle. A spinal needle is inserted between the lumbar vertebrae L3/L4 or L4/L5 and pushed in until there is a "give" that indicates the needle is past the dura mater.

Answer 5

Spinal tap: Also known as a lumbar puncture or "LP", a spinal tap is a procedure whereby spinal fluid is removed from the spinal canal for the purpose of diagnostic testing. It is particularly helpful in the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, especially infections, such as meningitis. It can also provide clues to the diagnosis of stroke, spinal cord tumor and cancer in the central nervous system.

A lumbar puncture is so-called because the needle goes into the lumbar portion (the "small") of the back. Other names for a lumbar puncture (an LP) include spinal puncture, thecal puncture, and rachiocentesis.

An LP is most commonly done for diagnostic purposes, namely to obtain a sample of the fluid in the spinal canal (the cerebrospinal fluid) for examination.

An LP can also be done for therapeutic purposes, namely as a way of administering antibiotics, cancer drugs, or anesthetic agents into the spinal canal. Spinal fluid is sometimes removed by LP for the purpose of decreasing spinal fluid pressure in patients with uncommon conditions (such as, for examples, normal-pressure hydrocephalus and benign intracranial hypertension).

The patient is typically lying down sideways for the procedure. Less often, the procedure is performed while the patient is sitting up. LPs in infants are often done upright.

here is more detail information http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7055

Answer 6

A spinal tap is a procedure performed when a doctor needs to look at the cerebrospinal fluid (also known as spinal fluid). Spinal tap is also referred to as a lumbar puncture, or LP.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/spinal_tap/article_em.htm


Or, a pretty good but loud band.

Answer 7

A lumbar puncture (LP), sometimes called a spinal tap, is a procedure in which a small amount of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), is removed and examined.

Answer 8

It's a procedure to test the fluid in your spinal column. They stick a needle into your spine at your lower back and draw out some of the fluid. It's also called a Lumbar Puncture. It is a very common test but it isn't a pleasant one. I don't think it really hurts, just that you have to stay really still and there is a lot of pressure.

Good luck.

Answer 9

A procedure in which a needle is put into the lower part of the spinal column to collect cerebrospinal fluid or to give drugs. Also called a lumbar puncture.

Answer 10

a spinal tap is where they insert i long flexible needle into your spine. its alot like epideral for when you have kids. anyways they put it in and this usually take a couple mintues to do and prepare. it feels like a bee sting.when they insert the needle they will draw out your spinal fluid. after they do this they make you lie down for about 16 hours. you cant raise your head above yoru shoulders due to it can cause a very very severe headache....at least thats what they told me when i had mine done. they use this for all kinds of reasons. drug testing, diesase testing or to see what kind of sickness you have. hope that helps.

Answer 11

A lumbar puncture in the lower back to withdraw a sample of spinal fluid for testing for neurological diagnosis. Meningitis is tested for in this manner.