The dura (sack containing the spinal cord and also the spinal fluid) is surrounded by the epidural space. So, when placing a lumbar puncture needle ("spinal" needle) successively through: the skin of the lower back, the underlying fat, the ligaments that run vertically between the spinous processes of the spine, it will have to go across the epidural space, then puncture the dura and enter the spinal fluid, a few milliliters of which is then sent for laboratory testing.
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