Site of action of epidural analgesia
C i.e. Substantia gelatinosa Opoid receptors are maximum in Lamina 2 (substantia gelatinosa) Lamina 5 of spinal cord. So Epidural Narcotics acts mainly on substantia gelatinosa Common side effects of intraspinal/ epidural opioids are pruritis (itching), nausea - vomiting; urinary retention, sedation, ileus and dose dependent respiratory depression (most serious)Q
Sensory nerve endings
Ventral horn
Substantia gelatinosa
Coex