1. Infant vaccinations
Sites of Injection: Vastus Lateralis (Both Vaccines)
Origin, Insertion, and Action:
- Origin: Greater trochanter and the linea aspera of the femur.
- Insertion: Patella via the quadriceps tendon and tibial tuberosity via the patellar ligament.
- Action: Extends the knee.
Locating the Area:
- The vastus lateralis muscle is located on the anterior and lateral aspect of the thigh.
Use the midline of the thigh as a reference and divide it into three equal parts from the hip to the knee. Search for the middle third of the anterior aspect of the thigh, palpating the muscle to ensure its safety for injections.
2. Preferred Site for IM Injection: Deltoid Muscle
Origin, Insertion, and Action:
- Origin:
- Anterior part: Clavicle.
- Lateral part: Acromion process of the scapula.
- Posterior part: Spine of the scapula.
- Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of the humerus.
- Action:
- Anterior part: Flexes and medially rotates the arm.
- Lateral part: Abducts the arm.
- Posterior part: Extends and laterally rotates the arm.
Locating the Area:
- Identify the Acromion Process, which is a bony prominence on the top of the shoulder.
- Place your fingers on the acromion process, moving about 2-3 fingerbreadths below the acromion process to find where the deltoid muscle is the thickest. Note that the injection site is generally located in the central, fleshy part of the deltoid.