Percutanea

Percutanea is a Latin adjective meaning through the skin. In medical Latin, it appears in phrases describing routes or procedures that cross the skin; in English, the contemporary term is percutaneous, used to indicate access, administration, or effects that occur by traversing the skin. The form percutanea may appear in Latin headings or compound terms in older literature, reflecting the same root as the English word.

In clinical and procedural contexts, percutaneous describes interventions that enter the body via the skin. Examples include percutaneous injections or punctures, where needles pass through the skin to reach subcutaneous tissue or deeper structures; percutaneous biopsies, where a needle samples tissue through the skin; and percutaneous organ access procedures such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy for kidney stones or percutaneous coronary intervention, in which instruments traverse the skin and vasculature to reach the heart. Other well-known usages include percutaneous drug delivery and various percutaneous imaging or drainage techniques.

In pharmacology and toxicology, percutaneous absorption refers to the passage of substances from the skin into systemic circulation or local tissues. Factors influencing absorption include molecular size, lipophilicity, formulation, duration of contact, and skin integrity. Dermal absorption is a critical consideration for topical medications, cosmetics, and chemical exposures, guiding safety assessments and regulatory standards.

Safety and technique are important in percutaneous procedures. Aseptic technique, appropriate anesthesia, and consideration of skin conditions or infections are essential to minimize complications such as bleeding, infection, or dermatitis. The term remains central to describing routes and methods that operate through the skin.