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Noun: epidural  ,e-pi'd(y)ûr-ul
  1. Regional anaesthesia resulting from injection of an anaesthetic into the epidural space of the spinal cord; sensation is lost in the abdominal and genital and pelvic areas; used in childbirth and gynecological surgery
    "The patient opted for an epidural during labour";
    - epidural anesthesia, epidural anaesthesia
Adjective: epidural  ,e-pi'd(y)ûr-ul
  1. On or outside the dura mater
    "The epidural hematoma was causing pressure on the brain";
    - extradural

Derived forms: epidurals

Type of: regional anaesthesia [Brit, Cdn], regional anesthesia [N. Amer]

Encyclopedia: Epidural