Spinal epidural space
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Knipe H, Gaillard F, Al Kabbani A, et al. Spinal epidural space. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 07 Mar 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-29047
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rID:
29047
Article created:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Henry Knipe had no recorded disclosures.
View Henry Knipe's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.
View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures
Revisions:
11 times, by
8 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
Tags:
Synonyms:
- Spinal extradural space
- Peridural space
- Cavum epidurale
- Spatium epidurale
The spinal epidural (extradural) space is distinctly separate from and not continuous with the cranial epidural space. Its exact definition and description are contentious 3.
Gross anatomy
The spinal epidural space is located in the spinal canal between the spinal dura mater and the vertebral column and extends from the foramen magnum to the sacral hiatus. It is typically 4-6 mm in depth 4.
Boundaries
- anterior: posterior longitudinal ligament, vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs 5
- posterior: facet joints, laminae and ligamentum flavum
- lateral: intervertebral foramina and pedicles
- superior: foramen magnum, where the spinal dura and periosteum of the skull fuse
- inferior: sacrococcygeal membrane at the sacral hiatus
- inner: spinal dura mater
Contents
- loose areolar connective tissue
- epidural ligaments
- semi-liquid fat
- internal vertebral venous plexus
- lymphatics
- arteries
- spinal nerve roots
Related pathology
References
- 1. Cloran F, Bui-Mansfield LT. Extracranial epidural emphysema: pathway, aetiology, diagnosis and management. Br J Radiol. 2011;84 (1002): 570-5. doi:10.1259/bjr/79263160 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 2. Parkin IG, Harrison GR. The topographical anatomy of the lumbar epidural space. J. Anat. 1986;141: 211-7. Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 3. Schütze G. Epiduroscopy: Spinal Endoscopy. Springer. ISBN:3540875441. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 4. Darby SA. Clinical Anatomy of the Spine, Spinal Cord, and ANS, 3e. Mosby. ISBN:0323079547. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 5. Richardson J. Groen GJ. Applied epidural anatomy, Continuing Education in Anaesthesia Critical Care & Pain, Volume 5, Issue 3, June 2005, Pages 98–100 DOI: 10.1093/bjaceaccp/mki026
Incoming Links
Articles:
- Spinal dura mater
- Extradural space
- Toothpaste sign
- Vertebral venous plexus
- Facet joint injection
- Spinal canal
- Extradural neural axis compartment
- Epidural ligaments
- Sacrum
- Transforaminal epidural steroid injection
- Ventral cord herniation
- Dorsal epidural disc migration
- Epidural lipomatosis
- Epidural blood patch
- Paraspinal ganglioneuroma
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