epidural
epidural — adjective
- epiduralpositive
- more epiduralcomparative
- most epiduralsuperlative
1. located in or relating to the narrow area just outside the tough covering of the
located in or relating to the narrow area just outside the tough covering of the spinal cord — this area is where anaesthetic drugs are injected to block pain in the lower body while the patient stays awake.
The doctor pointed to the epidural space on the diagram of the spine.
anatomical collocation: epidural space
Haruki's surgery used an epidural injection so he would not feel anything below his waist.
For this procedure, the epidural area must be kept completely clean and free of germs.
The medical textbook showed the epidural region between the bone and the spinal cover.
Epidural injections are placed in the lower back, not near the brain itself.
- peridural
a less common synonym with the same medical meaning, describing the area around the dura mater
- extradural
a synonym used more often in British medical writing for the same anatomical region
- intrathecal
referring to the space inside the dura mater (within the spinal fluid), whereas epidural means outside it
用法筆記
Primarily used as a technical medical term to describe the anatomical space (epidural space) or the route of drug delivery (epidural injection). Frequently appears before nouns like 'space', 'injection', 'needle', 'anaesthesia', and 'block'.
常見錯誤
epidural — noun
- epiduralsingular
- epiduralsplural
1. an injection of a pain-blocking drug given in the lower back near the spine that
an injection of a pain-blocking drug given in the lower back near the spine that stops the lower body from feeling pain — often used for women during childbirth or for patients having surgery on their legs, belly, or hips.
Fatima asked for an epidural after trying to manage the pain for several hours.
verb + epidural: ask for an epidural
The anaesthetist explained that the epidural would allow Diego to stay awake during the knee operation.
After the epidural, Sofia felt no pain in her legs but could move her arms.
Kofi watched the surgery on a screen while the epidural kept his lower body numb.
Some women choose to have an epidural as soon as they arrive at the hospital.
- epidural anaesthetic
a slightly more formal way of referring to the same injection, emphasising the type of drug used
- epidural block
a medical term that focuses on the effect of blocking nerve signals rather than the injection itself
- general anaesthetic
a drug that puts the whole body to sleep, unlike an epidural which only numbs the lower half
用法筆記
Used as a countable noun (an epidural / two epidurals). In conversation, people often say 'have an epidural' or 'get an epidural'. The drug itself is a local anaesthetic, often combined with a small amount of opioid for longer effect.