Cannula
Pronunciation: KAN-yoo-luh
A blunt-tipped, hollow injection needle used in aesthetic procedures to deposit filler or other substances with reduced risk of vascular injury compared with sharp-tipped needles.
Full Definition
In aesthetic dermatology, a cannula is a flexible, blunt-tipped tube inserted through a small skin entry point to deliver dermal fillers, fat, or other injectables across a wider anatomical area with a single puncture site. Its blunt tip is designed to deflect rather than pierce blood vessels, reducing the risk of intravascular injection and bruising compared with traditional sharp needles. Cannulas are described by their gauge (e.g., 25G, 27G) and length (e.g., 38 mm, 50 mm). Editors must note the preferred British English plural 'cannulae' in formal clinical writing, though 'cannulas' is widely accepted in US English and informal contexts. The term should not be confused with 'needle', which has a sharp bevel tip.
Usage
Usage note: In British English formal writing, the plural is 'cannulae'; in US English, 'cannulas' is standard. Gauge notation uses 'G' as an abbreviation (e.g., 25G), always following the number without a space.
In Context
- "A 25-gauge, 50 mm cannula was used to inject 2.0 mL of HA filler into the deep medial cheek fat compartment." — Procedure report
- "The protocol mandated cannula technique for all periorbital filler injections owing to the density of vessels in that region." — Clinical protocol document