<P> Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy are usually performed on the back of the hipbone , or posterior iliac crest . An aspirate can also be obtained from the sternum ( breastbone ) . For the sternal aspirate , the patient lies on their back , with a pillow under the shoulder to raise the chest . A trephine biopsy should never be performed on the sternum , due to the risk of injury to blood vessels , lungs or the heart . Bone marrow aspiration may also be performed on the tibial ( shinbone ) site in children up to 2 years of age while spinous process aspiration is frequently done in a lumbar puncture position and on the L3 - L4 vertebrae . </P>
<P> Bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsy are usually performed on the back of the hipbone , or posterior iliac crest . An aspirate can also be obtained from the sternum ( breastbone ) . For the sternal aspirate , the patient lies on their back , with a pillow under the shoulder to raise the chest . A trephine biopsy should never be performed on the sternum , due to the risk of injury to blood vessels , lungs or the heart . Bone marrow aspiration may also be performed on the tibial ( shinbone ) site in children up to 2 years of age while spinous process aspiration is frequently done in a lumbar puncture position and on the L3 - L4 vertebrae . </P>
where is bone marrow most commonly aspirated for diagnosis
where is bone marrow most commonly aspirated for diagnosis
the back of the hipbone , or posterior iliac crest
the back of the hipbone , or posterior iliac crest