Epidural Space - in Other Mammals

In Other Mammals

In other mammals, the relationship between the spinal canal and its contents is similar to that in humans, although many species possess a tail into which the epidural space is prolonged.

A unique property of the epidural venous plexus is that the veins are prevented from collapsing due to external pressure because the bony spinal canal prevents that pressure being transmitted. This means that for many diving mammals, e.g. whales, when diving a large fraction of venous return to the heart takes place via the epidural space, as veins such as the vena cava may be substantially compressed by the pressure at depth.