A subcutaneous injection is administered in which tissue region?

A subcutaneous injection is administered in which tissue region?

• A. Between the skin and muscle
• B. Between layers of skin
• C. Between layers of muscle
• D. Within the abdominal cavity

Answer: (A)

Subcutaneous injections go into the tissue just under the skin, in the loose connective tissue and fat known as the subcutaneous (hypodermal) layer. This region sits between the dermis and the underlying muscle, so the medication is absorbed more slowly and steadily than from muscle tissue. It is not inside the skin itself (that would be intradermal), nor into the muscle (that would be intramuscular), and not in the abdominal cavity (that would be intraperitoneal). Understanding this location helps explain absorption timing and informs needle size and depth choices.

Subcutaneous injections go into the tissue just under the skin, in the loose connective tissue and fat known as the subcutaneous (hypodermal) layer. This region sits between the dermis and the underlying muscle, so the medication is absorbed more slowly and steadily than from muscle tissue. It is not inside the skin itself (that would be intradermal), nor into the muscle (that would be intramuscular), and not in the abdominal cavity (that would be intraperitoneal). Understanding this location helps explain absorption timing and informs needle size and depth choices.