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subcutaneous

subcutaneous

8 7.2
Under the skin below the outer layer
  • adjective
  • /ˌsʌb.kjuːˈteɪ.nəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : subcutáneo
  • The surgeon explained that the subcutaneous layer contains fat that helps insulate the body.
  • subcutaneous tissue
  • subcutaneous fat
  • subcutaneous injection

And what it's doing is it is actually measuring subcutaneous fluid.

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Examples

  • Local reactions specifically noted included erythema, tenderness, induration, warmth, subcutaneous nodules, and axillary adenopathy.

    Academic text (2000)
  • Most vaccines are given intramuscularly, but subcutaneous, intradermal, and oral administration routes are still important for some vaccines.

    Academic text (2015)
  • And what it's doing is it is actually measuring subcutaneous fluid.

  • I mean, all the, all the, it doesn't touch subcutaneous fat for some reason.

  • So she's got to have the subcutaneous fat for her to last that time.

  • In any case, you can overload your subcutaneous fat, but you have to work at it.

  • One month after the injection, a subcutaneous mass appeared in the left hypochondrium.

    Academic text (2015)
  • By the time surface damage is noticed, subcutaneous necrosis may already have occurred.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Cervical emphysema occurs when air moves through tissue planes into subcutaneous areas of the face and neck.

    Academic text (2003)
  • The typical crepitus found on palpation will immediately distinguish subcutaneous emphysema from hematoma, edema, and abscess formation.

    Academic text (2002)

Synonyms

hypodermic
vssubcutaneous
  • Specialized
8 7.0

Relating to the area just under the skin or used for injections

is a general under-skin description without implied injection use
subdermal
vssubcutaneous
  • Specialized
4 6.1

Under the skin

is the broader anatomical term for the same under-skin area
subcuticular
vssubcutaneous
  • Specialized
1 8.9

Just under the outer layer of the skin

is the broader term for beneath-skin locations not limited to cuticles
subepidermal
vssubcutaneous
  • Specialized
7.9

Located just below the outer layer of the skin

is a general under-skin location that can be deeper or broader

Compounds

1 5.1

A way to give medicine under the skin into the fat layer

subcutaneous test
  • Specialized
6.2

A medical test that puts a small amount of an allergy-causing substance under the skin to see if you react

How Deep

intravenous
  • Specialized
22 5.5
intramuscular
  • Specialized
1 6.5
subcutaneous
  • Specialized
8 7.2
superficial
20 5.3

Surface Forms

subcutaneous positive

Morphology

subcutaneous = cutaneous (transparent) = sub + cutaneous

The meaning is directly 'sub-' (under) + 'cutaneous' (relating to the skin), yielding 'under the skin' in a straightforward way.

Etymology

Subcutaneous comes from the Latin parts sub- 'under' and cutis 'skin', and it shares the same root you see in cuticle. So something subcutaneous is placed or happens 'under the skin'.