Epidural administration involves delivery into which anatomical space?

Epidural administration involves delivery into which anatomical space?

• A. Epidural cavity in spinal cord
• B. Intrathecal space (subarachnoid)
• C. Intravenous vein
• D. Muscle tissue

Answer: (A)

Epidural administration delivers drugs into the epidural space, a potential space between the dura mater and the walls of the vertebral canal. This space contains fat and a venous plexus around the nerve roots as they emerge from the spinal cord, allowing anesthetic to block those nerves to produce targeted regional anesthesia. It is not the intrathecal/subarachnoid space, which houses cerebrospinal fluid inside the dural sac, nor is it a vein or muscle tissue.

Epidural administration delivers drugs into the epidural space, a potential space between the dura mater and the walls of the vertebral canal. This space contains fat and a venous plexus around the nerve roots as they emerge from the spinal cord, allowing anesthetic to block those nerves to produce targeted regional anesthesia. It is not the intrathecal/subarachnoid space, which houses cerebrospinal fluid inside the dural sac, nor is it a vein or muscle tissue.