[Structure and dynamics of the size of the epidural space in human fetuses and newborn infants].

Basing on our definition of the ES as a complex of peridural anatomical formations and taking into account certain peculiarities of their topographic distribution, 4 areas (anterior, posterior and two lateral) are defined. The posterior area of the ES by its sizes predominates over all the others. The ES value is determined by differences in rates of size increment of the vertebral canal and in rates of size increment of the spinal cord dura mater (SCDM). Position of the SCDM sac concerning the central axis of the canal predetermines++ the size of the ES four areas. The dimensions of the ES areas are not similar at various levels of the spinal column. For example, the dimensions of the ES posterior area in newborns are the greatest in the cervical part at CVII, in the thoracic--at ThIV-VII, in the lumbar--at LI-III, and the dimensions of the ES anterior area--at CVII, ThI-IV, LIV-V and Sr. The lateral ES areas are the widest at CI, ThIII, LV and SI. The greatest increase in the rate of increment of linear sizes and area is observed for the spinal canal and spinal cord in 5-, 8- and 9-month-old fetuses and for SCDM--in 5- and 8-month-old fetuses and for ES--in 6-, 8- and 9-month-old fetuses. The topographic peculiarities in the ES structure revealed and rearrangement of its dimensions in the fetuses and newborns can be useful in interpretation of problems on functional formation of the vertebral column, spinal cord and its tunics, and be of applied aspect at various manipulations performed in these formations in premature infants and in newborns.