lumbar

views updated May 17 2018

lumbar (lum-ber) adj. relating to the loin. l. puncture (LP) the insertion, under local anaesthetic, of a hollow needle into the subarachnoid space in the region of the lower back (usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae). It may be performed to obtain and examine a sample of cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis (e.g. of meningitis or multiple sclerosis) or to inject agents into the subarachnoid space. See also Queckenstedt test. l. triangle a weak area in the abdomen bounded by the iliac crest (below), the external oblique muscle (in front), and the erector spinae muscle (behind). l. vertebrae the five bones of the backbone that are situated between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum, in the lower part of the back. See also vertebra.

lumbar

views updated May 14 2018

lum·bar / ˈləmbər; -ˌbär/ • adj. relating to the lower part of the back: backache in the lumbar region.

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