What is another term for capillary puncture?

The term "capillary puncture" is commonly referred to as a dermal puncture. This is because the procedure involves puncturing the skin, specifically in areas where capillaries are located, to collect a small sample of blood. This method is frequently used for patients such as infants or those requiring only a small volume of blood since it minimizes trauma and is less invasive than other blood collection methods.

Using the term dermal puncture highlights the emphasis on the skin's outer layer as the site of blood collection, distinguishing it from other types of blood draws, such as venipuncture, where a vein is accessed, or arterial puncture, which involves drawing blood from an artery. Capillary draw might also be a colloquial term for the procedure, but "dermal puncture" is the more widely accepted terminology in the medical field.