The lumbar spine includes five vertebrae that help with mobility and stability. Lumbar vertebrae are larger because they carry the load from your head down to the lower spine. The lumbar spine has a ...

A lumbar puncture is sometimes called a “spinal tap.” It’s a medical procedure that can involve collecting a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord and ...

Why do I need a lumbar puncture? A lumbar puncture can check for cancer cells or for infection in the CSF. Doctors remove some of the CSF to test for cancer cells. They use a needle to take a sample ...