Editorially updated 22 October 2026. General patient information, not a guide to administering an injection.
Places for intramuscular injection are locations where a medicine prescribed for the intramuscular, or IM, route can be given into a muscle. Site names are useful to understand, but a webpage cannot determine the right site for an individual person or medication.
MedlinePlus patient guidance describes the upper arm, hip, thigh and buttock regions. Your healthcare professional should confirm the prescribed route, appropriate site and any training you need. Do not select an injection site from a diagram or an online list alone.
Common IM injection sites: the names explained
The terms below describe different anatomical areas. They are not interchangeable instructions, and being listed here does not make a site appropriate for every person.
Upper arm: the deltoid muscle
The deltoid is a muscle of the upper arm. CDC guidance discusses this site for intramuscular vaccination in age-appropriate patients. That vaccine guidance does not establish the correct site for a different prescribed medication.
Hip: the ventrogluteal region
The hip region is distinct from the back of the buttock. MedlinePlus includes the hip among the sites described in its IM patient information. A professional demonstration is needed to identify an appropriate location; a general illustration cannot account for your anatomy.
Thigh: the vastus lateralis muscle
The vastus lateralis is part of the thigh. The thigh appears in both MedlinePlus IM information and CDC vaccination guidance. Its use depends on the person and the treatment, rather than simply being the easiest area to reach.
Buttock: the dorsogluteal region
The buttock and hip labels should not be treated as the same site. MedlinePlus cautions that an incorrectly located buttock injection can injure a nerve or blood vessel. Ask your healthcare professional to explain the site chosen for you rather than trying to locate it from this article.
Why site and needle choices are individual
For vaccines, CDC needle-selection guidance considers the administration route, age, adult sex and weight, injection site and technique, alongside clinical judgment. These are vaccine-specific recommendations, not a universal chart for every injectable medication.
Site selection and equipment selection are related questions. For an explanation of the terminology, see our separate guide to needle gauge and length. It explains what those measurements mean without choosing equipment for you.
Questions to ask before an IM injection
- What route and site have been prescribed for this medicine?
- Will the injection be given in the clinic, or is individual training part of my treatment plan?
- Who should I contact if I am unsure about the site or supplied equipment?
- What symptoms should prompt a call to the clinic, and what is the emergency plan?
These questions help you understand the plan you have been given. They do not replace the prescriber's directions or authorize changing the route, site, dose or equipment.
Safety and follow-up information
MedlinePlus advises contacting a provider about questions, fever or illness after an injection, or a lump, bruise or swelling that does not go away. It advises emergency help for breathing difficulty or swelling of the mouth, lips or face after an injection. Read the linked guidance and follow your own care team's instructions.
The FDA's sharps information explains why used needles and syringes need appropriate disposal. Ask your clinic or pharmacist about the disposal arrangements for your care.
Frequently asked questions about IM sites
Is there one best place for every IM injection?
No single online site recommendation can account for every person and medicine. Have your healthcare professional confirm the site and route for your prescription.
Can I use vaccine guidance for another medication?
CDC vaccine tables are written for vaccination. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist which directions apply to your medication rather than transferring a vaccine recommendation yourself.
Where can I learn about the clinic's services?
Read our current IM Injections service information or contact the Colleyville clinic to discuss your question. This article does not determine whether a particular injection or medication is appropriate or available for you.