Which muscles are commonly used for intramuscular injections?

The deltoid, vastus lateralis, and ventrogluteal muscles are commonly utilized for intramuscular (IM) injections due to their size, depth, and accessibility.

The deltoid muscle is located in the upper arm and is often chosen for vaccinations. It has a good blood supply and is relatively easy to access while allowing for a limited volume of medication to be injected—typically no more than 1 mL.

The vastus lateralis muscle, found on the lateral side of the thigh, is particularly used in pediatric patients because it can accommodate larger volumes, generally up to 2 mL, without risking damage to surrounding structures. Its location away from major blood vessels and nerves makes it a safe choice.

The ventrogluteal site is located in the hip area and is considered one of the safest among the IM injection sites. It allows for larger volumes to be injected—up to 5 mL—due to the ample size of the gluteal muscle and its distance from major nerves and blood vessels, thus minimizing the risk of complications.

In contrast, the other options include muscles that either are not typically used for IM injections due to their size and nerve proximity or are more suited for different types