Spinal anaesthesia (also known as spinal block) is a medical procedure that involves injecting medication into the cerebrospinal fluid to numb the lower half of the body during surgery. The word "anaesthesia" is spelled with an "a" in the second syllable, pronounced as "ə". The "spinal" part is pronounced with a long "i" sound, as in "eye". Therefore, it is pronounced as "spahy-nl an-uhs-thee-zhuh". Proper spelling and pronunciation are crucial in the medical field to avoid confusion and ensure patient safety.
Spinal anesthesia, also known as subarachnoid anesthesia, is a medical procedure used to induce a temporary loss of feeling and movement in a specific region of the body by injecting anesthetic medication into the cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal canal.
During spinal anesthesia, the patient is usually positioned in a seated or lying position and the area where the needle will be inserted is cleaned and sterilized. The anesthetic medication, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine, is then injected into the subarachnoid space, which surrounds the spinal cord. This medication numbs the nerves in the spinal cord and blocks the transmission of pain signals from reaching the brain, resulting in an absence of sensation and movement in the areas supplied by those nerves.
Spinal anesthesia is often performed for procedures involving the lower abdomen, pelvic region, and lower limbs, such as cesarean sections, urinary tract surgeries, orthopedic procedures, and hernia repairs. It offers advantages like rapid onset, effective pain control, and minimal systemic drug effects, making it a preferred choice in many cases.
Although generally safe, spinal anesthesia does carry some risks and potential complications, such as hypotension, headache, nerve injury, and allergic reactions. Therefore, it should be performed by a trained anesthesiologist or anesthetist in a controlled medical setting.
Overall, spinal anesthesia is a valuable technique used in modern medicine for providing pain relief and allowing surgical procedures to be carried out with reduced discomfort or pain for patients.
The word "spinal" refers to the spine or the spinal column, which is the long, flexible structure of bones that extends from the base of the skull to the lower back. "Anaesthesia" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "anaisthēsis", meaning "insensibility" or "lack of feeling".
The term "spinal anesthesia" specifically refers to a medical procedure in which an anesthetic agent is injected into the space around the spinal cord, temporarily blocking nerve impulses and resulting in loss of sensation and muscle control in the lower body.
The etymology of the word "spinal anesthesia" can be understood by combining the meanings of both words: the procedure involves administering anesthesia near the spinal column to induce insensibility or a lack of sensation in the lower part of the body.