Z-track

Z-track

(z-trăk′) An injection technique in which the surface (skin and subcutaneous) tissues are pulled and held to one side before insertion of the needle deep into the muscle in the identified site. The medication is injected slowly, followed by a 10-sec delay; then the needle is removed, and the tissues are quickly permitted to resume their normal position. This provides a Z-shaped track, which makes it difficult for the injected irritating drug to seep back into subcutaneous tissues.