Routes of administration and retrieval refers to the multiple different routes by which substances can be transferred into (e.g. medication) , or removed from (e.g. pus), the human body. These routes most commonly employ natural non-intimate orifices of the body and therefore are usually not considered invasive.
On the other hand, a more invasive approach may occasionally be necessary, such as using an intimate natural orifice, e.g. per vaginal, a needle-based approach or even full-blown surgery.
Contrast medium administration is usually intravenous, although almost every conceivable route has been used, although some are now uncommon/unusual.
-
non-invasive
per oral (PO): the commonest route for medication
sublingual: under the tongue, bypasses the liver
buccal: inner surface of the cheek bypasses liver e.g. glyceryl nitrate for angina
topical: application directly to the skin
transdermal, e.g. skin patches
intranasal, e.g. influenza vaccination
ocular (a.k.a. ophthalmic), e.g. eye drops
otic, e.g. ear drops
inhalation: directly into the lungs, e.g. oxygen, Tc-99m DTPA
-
invasive
per vaginal (PV): includes pessaries
per rectal (PR): bypasses liver
per urethral (PU)
-
needle
intravenous (IV): commonest route for contrast media, drugs, fluids and blood transfusions
intra-arterial (IA)
intralymphatic (IL): usually into lymph node, rather than lymphatics 4
intramuscular (IM)
subcutaneous (SC)
subdermal: e.g. contraceptive implants 5
-
intracavitary
pleural
intraperitoneal
pericardial
epidural
intracardiac
stoma
intra-articular: e.g. direct arthrogram
biliary
renal e.g. nephrostomy
intraosseous, primarily infants for resuscitation
-
surgical
laparoscopic
open surgery