noun General Slang

tap

TAP · noun · informal

A needle procedure to withdraw fluid, e.g. a spinal tap.

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Definitions

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Short for a diagnostic or therapeutic puncture that draws off fluid, most often a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) but also chest or abdominal taps.

“We need a tap to rule out meningitis.”
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tap In A Sentence

We need a tap to rule out meningitis.

Origin & Usage

From 'tapping' fluid off a space with a needle.

People Also Ask

What is a tap in medicine?

A tap is a needle procedure that draws off fluid from a body space, most often a lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap.

What kinds of taps are there?

Common ones include a spinal tap, a chest tap for pleural fluid, and an abdominal tap for peritoneal fluid.

Why would a patient need a tap?

To sample fluid for diagnosis, such as ruling out meningitis, or to relieve pressure by removing excess fluid.

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