A
hypodermic needle (from
Greek ὑπο- (under-), and δέρμα (skin)) is a hollow needle commonly used with a
syringe to
inject substances into the body or extract fluids from it. They may also be used to take liquid samples from the body, for example taking
blood from a
vein in
venipuncture. Large bore hypodermic intervention is especially useful in catastrophic blood loss or
shock.