Epidural space

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For the anesthetic procedure and route of drug administration, see Epidural administration.
Epidural space
The medulla spinalis and its membranes
Details
Identifiers
Latinspatium epidurale,
spatium extradurale,
cavum epidurale
MeSHD004824
TA98A14.1.01.112
A14.1.01.110
TA25381, 5383
FMA71228
Anatomical terminology

In

vertebrae (spine).[1][2]

The anatomy term "epidural space" has its origin in the

arteries, dural venous sinuses and a network of internal vertebral venous plexuses.[3]

Cranial epidural space

In the skull, the periosteal layer of the dura mater adheres to the inner surface of the skull bones while the meningeal layer lays over the arachnoid mater. Between them is the epidural space. The two layers of the dura mater separate at several places, with the meningeal layer projecting deeper into the brain parenchyma forming fibrous septa that compartmentalize the brain tissue. At these sites, the epidural space is wide enough to house the epidural venous sinuses.[2][4][5]

There are four fibrous septa:[4]

  1. Falx cerebri, that separates the left and right hemispheres of the cerebrum. It contains the superior sagittal sinus and inferior sagittal sinus.
  2. Tentorium cerebelli, which separates the cerebrum from cerebellum and contains the transverse sinus, straight sinus and superior petrosal sinus.
  3. Diaphragma sellae, that encloses the hypophyseal fossa from the superior side, cushioning the pituitary gland. It contains the anterior and posterior intercavernous sinuses.
  4. Falx cerebelli, which separates the left and right cerebellar hemispheres and contains the occipital sinus.

In pathological conditions fluid such as blood can fill this space. For example a torn meningeal artery (often the middle meningeal artery) or dural venous sinus (rarely) may bleed into this potential space and result in an epidural hematoma.[5]

Spinal epidural space

In the

sacral hiatus inferiorly.[6]

Epidural space is the smallest at the cervical region, measuring 1 to 2 mm. At L2 to L3, enlarges until 5 to 6 mm. It then enlarges progressively until lower lumbar and sacral region.[7] However, some authors stated that it decreases in size after mid-lumbar region until 2 mm at S1 level.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 435703701
    .
  2. ^
    OCLC 473478856
    .
  3. ISSN 1743-1816
    .
  4. ^
    OCLC 899175403
    .
  5. ^
    OCLC 945569379
    .
  6. ISBN 978-1496347213
    .
  7. ISBN 9781441903518
    . Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  8. PMID 16868616
    .
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