Skip navigation

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002297.htm

Subcutaneous

The term "cutaneous" refers to the skin. Subcutaneous means beneath, or under, all the layers of the skin. For example, a subcutaneous cyst is under the skin.

References

Gawkrodger DJ, Ardern-Jones MR. Microanatomy of the skin. In: Gawkrodger DJ, Ardern-Jones MR, eds. Dermatology: An Illustrated Colour Text. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Subcutaneous. www.merriam-webster.com/medical. Accessed July 18, 2022.

Review Date 7/25/2022

Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.