Glossary

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• Leutinizing Hormone (LH): produced by the pituitary gland. Along with Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH ) controls production of the sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) as well as sperm and egg maturation and release. Learn more.
• Lipoma: a common benign tumor composed of fatty tissue, often under the skin. Lipomas are typically soft, moderately mobile and painless. They grow slowly and in most instances do not require treatment.
• Lumbar Drain: a small flexible tube placed in the cerebrospinal fluid filled thecal sac of the lower back (lumbar area). The tube drains the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord which relieves pressure. It may be used to drain and assess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for many different reasons. A lumbar drain may be inserted to allow healing at the operative site by decreasing CSF volume and pressure. A lumbar drain is usually inserted if a CSF leak persists with bed rest or if CSF is seen in the surgical field.
• Lumbar Puncture: a diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedure to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for biochemical, microbiological, and cytological analysis. The most common purpose for a lumbar puncture is to collect cerebrospinal fluid to assess for an infection of the CSF (meningitis).