what is another name for lumbar puncture?
It is termed a lumbar puncture because the needle is placed in the lumbar portion of the back and used to puncture through tissues to enter the spinal canal. Other names for a lumbar puncture (an LP) include spinal tap, spinal puncture, thecal puncture, and rachiocentesis. 1  Readers Comments 1.  Share Your Story.
Updated April 16, 2017. A lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, is a common neurological procedure that removes cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal so a doctor can study the fluid more thoroughly. While neurologists perform this test frequently, the idea of a lumbar puncture makes most people nervous.