title: Cerebrospinal fluid and lumbar puncture: the story of a necessary procedure in the history of medicine.
abstract: The aim of our work was to investigate the different historical stages that led gradually to the discovery of the anatomical structures that form and contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), until the Quincke idea, to collect the liquid directly at the lumbar level delivering to humanity a diagnostic tool present and absolutely irreplaceable in everyday clinical practice. This is done through consultation of all the historical medical literature, together with the critical examination of the original articles when available in the most rigorous chronological and speculative order, which enabled knowledge advancement.
authors: San Martino Hospital, Neurology, Viale Europa 22, CAP 32100, Belluno, Italy, sandro.zambito@ulss.belluno.it.
authors: Sandro
authors: S
authors: Zambito Marsala
authors: Manuela
authors: M
authors: Gioulis
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Pistacchi
mesh_terms: D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000266:history*