cisternal puncture

puncture /punc·ture/ (-cher) the act of piercing or penetrating with a pointed object or instrument; a wound so made.

---

cisternal puncture  puncture of the cisterna cerebellomedullaris through the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane to obtain cerebrospinal fluid.

lumbar puncture , spinal puncture the withdrawal of fluid from the subarachnoid space in the lumbar region, usually between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae.

sternal puncture  removal of bone marrow from the manubrium of the sternum through an appropriate needle.

ventricular puncture  puncture of a cerebral ventricle for the withdrawal of fluid.

---

cisternal puncture

n.

Passage of a hollow needle through the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane into the cerebellomedullary cistern.

---

cisternal puncture

[sistur′nəl]

Etymology: L, vessel, punctura, a piercing

the insertion of a needle into the cerebellomedullary cistern to withdraw cerebrospinal fluid for examination, usually performed with fluoroscopic guidance. The puncture is made between the atlas and the occipital bone.

---

cisternal

pertaining to a cistern, especially the cisterna cerebellomedullaris.

---

cisternal puncture

puncture of the cisterna cerebellomedullaris (magna) with a hollow needle inserted through the aperture between the occipital crest and the anterior edge of the atlas. A sample of CSF may be collected, contrast medium injected or pressure measured. See also spinal puncture.

Cisternal puncture. By permission from Morgan RV, Bright R, Swartout M, Handbook of Small Animal Practice, Saunders, 2002

cisternal space

a channel between opposing layers of a highly convoluted single membrane in the endoplasmic reticulum of all cells.

cisternal tap

see cisternal puncture (above).