epidural

American  

[ep-i-door-uhl, -dyoor-] / ˌɛp ɪˈdʊər əl, -ˈdyʊər- /

adjective

1. Anatomy. situated on or outside the dura mater.

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noun

1. Pharmacology. epidural anesthesia.

epidural British  

/ ˌɛpɪˈdjʊərəl /

adjective

1. Also: extradural.  upon or outside the dura mater

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noun

1. Also called: epidural anaesthesia. 

   1. injection of anaesthetic into the space outside the dura mater enveloping the spinal cord

   2. anaesthesia induced by this method

epidural Scientific  

/ ĕp′ĭ-dr′əl /

1. Located on or over the dura mater.

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1. An injection into the epidural space of the spine, as an epidural anesthetic.

Etymology

Origin of epidural

1880–85; < epi- + dur(a mater) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Hague explained she then received an epidural which allowed her to enjoy the pushing part of labour.

From BBC

Cross, the Floridian who gave birth in October, said she felt like her back was breaking during contractions and begged to go to the hospital for an epidural.

From The Wall Street Journal

"In clinical practice, epidurals are given in carefully controlled doses because blocking sensory nerves completely can make labor much longer," notes Zhang.

From Science Daily

A shortage of epidural kits in the UK is expected to last until at least March, the government's medicines regulator has warned.

From BBC

So when the time came, she opted for an epidural.

From The Wall Street Journal