An epidural needle assembly is provided, permitting the accurate introduction of a large bore introducer sleeve needle into the epidural space in the spinal column of a patient using the loss of resistance technique. The large bore introducer needle has a beveled side opening at its tip and with a tissue piercing point at the distal extension of the needle. A syringe needle is received within the introducer needle with a distal head of the syringe needle filling the beveled side opening at the distal end of the introducer needle when the syringe hub is fully seated. The lumen of the syringe needle exits the syringe needle head at the side opening of the introducer needle immediately adjacent the tissue piercing point of the introducing needle. The needle assembly may be inserted and advanced, with precise tactile feedback, into a patient, thus accurately detecting the introduction of the introducer needle into epidural space.
