Subcutaneous: meaning, definitions and examples

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subcutaneous

 

[ sʌbˈkjutənəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

medical terminology

Subcutaneous refers to something situated or lying beneath the skin. It is often used to describe tissues, injections, or treatments that occur beneath the outer layer of the skin. This term is commonly applied in medical contexts, especially in relation to fat layers and medication administration.

Synonyms

beneath the skin, hypodermic, under-skin

Examples of usage

  • Subcutaneous fat plays a crucial role in insulating the body.
  • The doctor administered the vaccine via a subcutaneous injection.
  • Subcutaneous tissue helps protect underlying muscles and organs.

Translations

Translations of the word "subcutaneous" in other languages:

🇵🇹 subcutâneo

🇮🇳 उपक皮 (upakṛt)

🇩🇪 subkutan

🇮🇩 subkutan

🇺🇦 підшкірний

🇵🇱 podskórny

🇯🇵 皮下の (hika no)

🇫🇷 sous-cutané

🇪🇸 subcutáneo

🇹🇷 subkutan

🇰🇷 피하의 (pihak ui)

🇸🇦 تحت الجلد (taḥt al-jild)

🇨🇿 subkutánní

🇸🇰 subkutánny

🇨🇳 皮下的 (píxià de)

🇸🇮 subkutani

🇮🇸 undirhúð

🇰🇿 тері астындағы (teri astyndagy)

🇬🇪 ქვეშა (k'vesha)

🇦🇿 dəri altı

🇲🇽 subcutáneo

Etymology

The word subcutaneous comes from the Latin roots 'sub,' meaning 'under,' and 'cutis,' meaning 'skin.' This term began to appear in medical texts as the understanding of human anatomy and skin layers evolved. The use of subcutaneous as a descriptor became common in medical literature in the late 19th century as scientists and medical professionals developed techniques for administering treatments such as vaccines and medications beneath the skin's surface. Over time, the term has been widely accepted in various medical contexts, particularly in discussions about fat distribution and drug delivery methods.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,579, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.