spinal tap
9
5.8
- noun
- /ˈspaɪnəl tæp/
- Specialized
:
punción espinal
- After assessing the patient's condition, the neurologist recommended a spinal tap to collect cerebrospinal fluid.
- painful spinal tap
- spinal tap test
- getting a spinal tap
Examples
-
The doctor explained that they needed to perform a spinal tap to test for infections.
-
Two sisters stayed with the boy while he was given a spinal tap to rule out the meningitis that was also suspected.
Blog text (6) -
We wait a half hour to make sure he is stable, then do the spinal tap.
Fiction book (1994) -
They gave him a spinal tap.
-
He ordered another spinal tap, more MRIs, and more extensive blood work.
Blog text (10) -
Meningitis, for instance, can be confirmed (or excluded) with a spinal tap and a quick exam of spinal fluid under a microscope.
Fiction book (1994) -
She was nervous about having a spinal tap, but the physician assured her it was a common procedure.
Synonyms
5
5.3
A way doctors remove fluid from the lower spine to test or treat brain and nerve problems
A medical procedure that takes fluid from the lower spine for tests or treatment
How Invasive
- Specialized
12
4.0
- Specialized
9
5.8
- Specialized
4
3.6
131
2.3
- US
49
3.2
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a procedure to draw fluid from the spinal canal' is directly derivable from combining 'spinal' (relating to the spine) with 'tap' (to draw out liquid), so the overall concept of drawing fluid from the spine follows straightforward compositional logic. Although medical, the compound follows normal English noun-formation and the idea of 'tapping' a body part to remove fluid is conceptually accessible, so a learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the meaning.
Etymology
The medical term spinal tap comes from a simple image: a needle is used in the lower spinal area to tap and take out a small amount of fluid, like tapping a barrel to get liquid. So, spinal tap means the procedure to 'remove fluid' for tests or to help treat illness.