TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Cerebrospinal Fluid Examination A1 - Waxman, Stephen G. PY - 2020 T2 - Clinical Neuroanatomy, 29e AB - Analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can provide useful diagnostic information. As noted in Chapter 6, CSF is usually obtained from the lumbar subarachnoid space via a spinal tap, also called a lumbar puncture. Usually, this is carried out at the L3–4 or L4–5 interspace, with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. In some cases, it is easier to perform lumbar puncture with the patient in a sitting position. Because the spinal cord in adults ends at the L1–2 level, lumbar puncture can be performed below that level (and above the sacrum) without injuring the cord. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - neurology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1186190597 ER -