Lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture (LP), also known as a spinal tap, is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canal, most commonly to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic testing. The main reason for a lumbar puncture is to help diagnose diseases of the central nervous system, including the brain and spine.
2. ratio-the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree; an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations; a dry martini has a large proportion of gin. proportion.
A financial ratio that measures the extent of a companyâs or consumerâs leverage. The debt ratio is defined as the ratio of total â long-term and short-term â debt to total assets, expressed as a decimal or percentage. It can be interpreted as the proportion of a companyâs assets that are financed by debt. Also referred to as the debt-to-assets ratio.