intramaskuläre

Intramaskuläre is not a standard term in medical German; the common form is intramuskulär, meaning within skeletal muscle. The adjective intramuskulär is used to describe anything related to or occurring in muscle tissue, especially the muscle layers of the body. In practice, intramuskulär often refers to injections or medications delivered into muscle tissue.

In medical administration, intramuscular injections are used to deliver a wide range of substances, including vaccines, antibiotics, hormones, and analgesics. The procedure takes advantage of the rich blood supply of muscle tissue, which generally allows more rapid systemic absorption than subcutaneous administration. Suitable sites for intramuscular injections include the deltoid muscle (upper arm), the ventrogluteal region (hip), and, in infants and small children, the vastus lateralis (thigh). The choice of site depends on patient age, medication type, volume, and potential irritation to tissues.

Technique, in broad terms, involves selecting an appropriate site, preparing the skin with an antiseptic, inserting the needle at approximately a 90-degree angle to the skin, and delivering the medication in a controlled manner before withdrawing the needle and applying pressure. Needle size and length vary with patient age and body habitus; common choices range from 22 to 25 gauge and from about 1 to 1.5 inches in length.

Risks and complications include pain at the injection site, bleeding or hematoma, nerve or vascular injury (notably with improper gluteal injections), and, rarely, infection or tissue necrosis. Contraindications include local infection at the injection site, known allergy to the medication, and certain coagulation disorders.

See also: intradermal injection, subcutaneous injection, intravenous administration.