What term is used to describe drug administration that is done through injection into muscle tissue?

The term that describes drug administration through injection into muscle tissue is intramuscular. This route allows for the medication to be absorbed more quickly than subcutaneous injections because muscle tissue has a greater blood supply. Intramuscular injections are often used for vaccines, hormones, and certain medications that require rapid or prolonged absorption.

In contrast, subcutaneous refers to the injection into the layer of fat and connective tissue just below the skin, which has a slower absorption rate. Intradermal involves injection into the dermis, just under the epidermis, commonly used for allergy tests or tuberculosis screening. Intravenous entails administering medication directly into the bloodstream via a vein, providing immediate effects but differing from the muscular route in terms of absorption and usage context. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why intramuscular is the correct term for this method of drug administration.