| spinal puncture | Tapping of the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region, usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| sternal puncture | Removal of bone marrow from the manubrium by needle. (05 Mar 2000) |
| diabetic puncture | A puncture at a point in the floor of the fourth ventricle of the brain which causes glycosuria. Synonym: Bernard's puncture. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Quincke's puncture | A diagnostic procedure where a sterile needle is introduced into the lower spine (L2) to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes. Chemical analysis, cellular analysis and CSF pressure can all be measured with this procedure. This test can aid in the diagnosis of meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage and multiple sclerosis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| ear puncture | Puncture of the ear drum may be due to an accident for example when something is stuck into the ear. Or it may be due to fluid pressure in the middle ear. Today the ear drum is occasionally punctured on purpose with surgery. A surgically placed tiny incision (a myringotomy) is made in the eardrum. Any fluid, usually thickened secretions, is removed and an ear tube may be inserted. (12 Dec 1998) |
| tracheoesophageal puncture | A small opening made by a surgeon between the oesophagus and the trachea. A valve keeps food out of the trachea but lets air into the oesophagus for oesophageal speech. (12 Dec 1998) |
| lumbar puncture | A diagnostic procedure where a sterile needle is introduced into the lower spine (L2) to collect cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes. Chemical analysis, cellular analysis and CSF pressure can all be measured with this procedure. This test can aid in the diagnosis of meningitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage and multiple sclerosis. (27 Sep 1997) |
| artery needle | A blunt-pointed, curved needle, set in a handle, with the eye at the point, used for passing a ligature around an artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| aspirating needle | A hollow needle used for withdrawing fluid from a cavity, when combined with an aspirator tube attached to one end. (05 Mar 2000) |
| atraumatic needle | An eyeless surgical needle with the suture permanently fastened into a hollow end. (05 Mar 2000) |
| biopsy needle | <equipment> A skinny needle that is passed percutaneously into an organ being investigated (liver and kidney are common). Tissue is obtained from the core of the needle and then analysed under the microscope. (21 Mar 1998) |
| biopsy, pleural needle | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A pleural needle biopsy involves the use of a needle (inserted from the skin) to obtain a small sample of pleural tissue for microscopic analysis. The biopsy is done using a local anaesthetic. Abnormal results may reveal cancer (metastatic or primary), tuberculosis, a fungal disease, viral disease, a parasitic disease or collagen vascular disease. Risks include pneumothorax and internal bleeding. (21 Mar 1998) |
| Veress needle | A needle equipped with a spring loaded obturator that is used for insufflation of the abdomen in laparoscopic surgery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Gillmore needle | A device for obtaining the setting time of dental cement. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cataract needle | A very narrow, needle-pointed knife used in discission of a cataract. Synonym: cataract needle. (05 Mar 2000) |