Where is a subcutaneous injection given?

• A. Under the skin
• B. Into a vein
• C. Into muscle
• D. Into a joint

Answer: (A)

Subcutaneous injections deliver medicine into the fatty tissue that lies just beneath the skin. This is distinct from injecting into a vein, a muscle, or a joint, which would be intravenous, intramuscular, or intra-articular, respectively. Because the target is the tissue under the skin, the needle is usually short and the angle is shallow, chosen to reach the fat without penetrating deep muscle. Common sites include the abdomen (the area away from the navel), outer thigh, upper arm, and buttocks. Absorption from subcutaneous tissue is slower and more gradual than from muscle or vein, which is why this route is used for medications that benefit from steady, prolonged uptake—such as insulin or certain anticoagulants.