Updated August 27, 2014.

Definition: The epidural space is an area of spine anatomy between the spinal cord and the vertebral canal.  It is located outside the cord but inside the canal.

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.