A needle is inserted, usually between L4 and L5 (the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae), into the epidural space (below the level of the spinal cord), withdrawing spinal fluid for diagnostic purposes.
I think you mean level of the vertebral column is a lumbar puncture generally performed?
between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae
Lumbar puncture is done at the level of L3 to L4.
Between L3/ L4 or L5/L6l2-3A lumbar puncture is usually done between L3-L4 (lumbar vertebrae 3 and 4)
spinal cord
Cerebrospinal fluid is obtained by lumbar puncture.
A lumbar puncture takes about 30 minutes.
A lumbar puncture is usually done between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae (L3 and L4) as, in adults, the thick part of the spinal cord has ended by this point, meaning it can't be damaged by the lumbar puncture. The nerve fibres in this area are called the cauda equina (horse's tail) and they actually seem to move out of the way as the needle passes though into the cerebrospinal fluid.
a spinal tap, or lumbar puncture
Prepare for lumbar puncture
It's the same. Two terms used for one procedure. Or we may say that lumbar puncture is a spinal tap that is done in lumbar area, while spinal tap can also be performed right below the occipital bone (called suboccipital puncture). All in all it's a procedure to obtain the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
Patients must avoid sitting or standing and remain lying down for as long as six hours after the lumbar puncture. They should also drink plenty of fluid to help prevent lumbar puncture headache