subcutaneous

Also sub·der·mal

[suhb-kyoo-tey-nee-uhs]

adjective

1. situated or lying under the skin, as tissue.

2. performed or introduced under the skin, as an injection by a syringe.

3. living below the several layers of the skin, as certain parasites.

subcutaneous

/ ˌsʌbkjuːˈteɪnɪəs /

adjective

1. med situated, used, or introduced beneath the skin

   a subcutaneous injection

subcutaneous

1. Located or placed just beneath the skin.

Other Word Forms

• subcutaneously adverb
• subcutaneousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcutaneous¹

From the Late Latin word subcutāneus, dating back to 1645–55. See sub-, cutaneous

Word History and Origins

Origin of subcutaneous¹

C17: from Late Latin subcutāneus, from _sub- + Latin cutis skin + _-eous

Example Sentences

When consumed, they are absorbed in the small intestine and transported via lipoproteins in the bloodstream to be stored primarily in fat-rich tissues, including the subcutaneous layer of the skin.

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No significant difference was observed in cerebral blood flow in the groups with high vs. low subcutaneous fat.

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They found that UV exposure raises norepinephrine levels, decreases leptin levels, and induces the browning of subcutaneous fat, thereby increasing energy expenditure.

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After weight loss, people with overweight and obesity express more of the protein Kallistatin* in subcutaneous white adipose tissue.

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"Not only that, but it also resulted in a greater number of T central memory cells compared to subcutaneous vaccination, which could lead to longer-lasting protection."

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