1. Site of Injection: Anterolateral aspect of thigh
Targeted Muscle: Vastus Lateralis
Origin: Greater trochanter and linea aspera of femur
Insertion: Patella via quadriceps tendon and then tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
Action: Extends leg at knee joint
How to locate area:
1st - Position the patient lying down or being held by a parent.
2nd - Palpate the muscle below the greater trochanter and above the lateral femoral condyle (knee joint).
3rd - Divide the muscle into thirds and administer the injection into the middle third of the muscle, in the out.
2. Target Muscle: Deltoid in the upper arm
Origin: Lateral third of the clavicle, acromion process of the scapula, and spine of the scapula
Insertion: Deltoid tuberosity of the humerus
Action: Abducts the arm, flexion, lateral rotation, and extension of the arm
How to locate this area?
To locate the correct area for the intramuscular injection,
1st - Relax the patient's arm. Expose the upper arm and feel for two key bony landmarks, the acromion process at the top of the shoulder and the deltoid tuberosity on the upper lateral part of the humerus.
2nd - Locate the acromion process of the deltoid muscle and scapula at the top of the shoulder. The injection site is approximately 2-3 fingerbreadths below the acromion process, in the thickest part of the deltoid muscle, in the central, bulky portion of the deltoid to avoid hitting the acromion or the radial nerve.