Question

The spinal dura mater is not attached to the inner surfaces of vertebrae as the cranial dura mater is to the cranial bones. Instead, a true , called the epidural space exists, which is filled with fat tissue. What function do you think this fat tissue serves ?

Answer 1

Epidural space is the space between the vertebrae and duramater. It contains loose areolar tissue, semi-liquid fat, spinal arteries and internal vertebral venous plexus.

It serves two major functions:-

1. It acts as a shock absorber for the contents of epidural space (spinal arteries and internal vertebral venous plexus) and dura and other contents.
2. It acts as a depot for the drugs injected into the cervical epidural space. The drugs most commonly used for this method is opioids.