Editing Epidural space (section)

==Cranial epidural space==
In the [[skull]], the periosteal layer of the dura mater adheres to the inner surface of the skull bones while the meningeal layer lays over the [[arachnoid mater]]. Between them is the '''epidural space'''. The two layers of the dura mater separate at several places, with the meningeal layer projecting deeper into the brain parenchyma forming '''fibrous septa''' that compartmentalize the brain tissue. At these sites, the epidural space is wide enough to house the epidural venous sinuses.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=A Textbook of Neuroanatomy|last1=Patestas|first1=Maria|last2=Gartner|first2=Leslie P.|date=2013|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=9781118687741|edition=1st|location=New York, NY|oclc=899175403}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Neurology & neurosurgery|last1=Collins|first1=Dawn|last2=Goodfellow|first2=John|last3=Silva|first3=Dulanka|last4=Dardis|first4=Ronan|last5=Nagaraja|first5=Sanjoy|isbn=9781907816741|location=London|publisher=[[JP Medical Publishers]]|date=2016|oclc=945569379}}</ref>

There are four fibrous septa:<ref name=":2" />

# '''[[Falx cerebri]]''', that separates the left and right [[Cerebral hemisphere|hemispheres]] of the [[cerebrum]]. It contains the [[superior sagittal sinus]] and [[inferior sagittal sinus]].
# '''[[Cerebellar tentorium|Tentorium cerebelli]]''', which separates the cerebrum from [[cerebellum]] and contains the [[Transverse sinuses|transverse sinus]], [[straight sinus]] and [[superior petrosal sinus]].
# '''[[Diaphragma sellae]]''', that encloses the [[Sella turcica|hypophyseal fossa]] from the superior side, cushioning the [[pituitary gland]]. It contains the anterior and posterior intercavernous sinuses.
# '''[[Falx cerebelli]]''', which separates the left and right cerebellar hemispheres and contains the [[occipital sinus]].

In pathological conditions fluid such as blood can fill this space. For example a torn meningeal artery (often the [[middle meningeal artery]]) or [[Dural venous sinuses|dural venous sinus]] (rarely) may bleed into this potential space and result in an [[epidural hematoma]].<ref name=":3" />