Definition: The area outside the spinal cord but inside the vertebral canal of the spinal column.
Three layers of tissue cover the spinal cord. The epidural space is the area of space between the outermost tissue layer and the inside surface of bone in which it is contained. The epidural space runs the length of the spine.
The epidural space contains fat tissue along with blood vessels and nerve roots.
Sources:
Mosby's Medical Dictionary. 7th edition. 2006. Mosby Elsevier. St. Louis, Mo.
Stedman's Medical Dictionary. 28th Edition. 2006. Lippincott, Williams, Wilkins. Baltimore.
Moore, K., Dalley, A. Clinically Oriented Anatomy. 5th edition. 2006. LIppincott, Williams & Wilkins. Baltimore.
