anesthesia

Question 1

where is epidural anesthesia delivered?

Answer 1

outside of the lower dural sac (into the epidural space) dural sac ends at S2.

Question 2

where is epidural needle inserted?

Answer 2

through the sacral hiatus and positioned in the sacral canal. also via trans-sacral approach where needle is inserted through on of the lower sacral foramina.

Question 3

what does epidural space anesthesia affect?

Answer 3

nerves S2 - Cox1, which lie outside of the main dural sac enroute to their point of exit from sacrum.

Question 4

where is lumbar puncture, or spinal tap, done?

Answer 4

between L3-L4 or L4-L5 vertebrae

Question 5

what is the lumbar cistern?

Answer 5

junction of L3-4 or L4-5. the subarachnoid space is large in this region, so it is a common point for either removing CSF or introducing drugs

Question 6

what is spinal anesthesia?

Answer 6

anesthetic agents are introduced into the subarachnoid space. used for cesarean sections.

Question 7

how is spinal anesthesia performed?

Answer 7

a needle is pushed into the space between the vertebral lamina and positioned in the subarachnoid space. usually L3-4 or L4-5 is used, so it is important to know where L4 is.

Question 8

how is lumbar myelogram done?

Answer 8

inject a radio-opaque contrast medium into subarachnoid space prior to making xray.