spinal anaesthesia

1. the generation of ANAESTHESIA by injecting the CEREBROSPINAL FLUID around the SPINAL CORD . Of two types, the epidural (see EPIDURAL ANAESTHESIA ) involves injecting into the outer lining of the spinal cord, while subarachnoid anaesthesia is produced by injecting between vertebrae in the LUMBAR region of the vertebral column. Spinal anaesthesia is useful for patients who have a condition that preclude a general ANAESTHETIC (e.g. a chest infection or heart disease). 2. the loss of sensation in a part of the body as a result of spinal injury.