FACTS & HINTS
High-Yield Facts
Clinical Points
Lumbar Puncture: Performed for retrieval of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the lumbar spinal cistern. The patient is placed in the left decubitus
position, flexed in the fetal posture with the supracristal line vertical. Puncture should be made at the L3/4 (immediately superior) or L4/5
(immediately inferior) interspace in the midline of the back, to avoid the spinal cord.
Mnemonics
Memory Aids
Lumbar puncture: To keep the cord alive, keep the needle between L3 and L5!