Final answer:
An injection in the epidermis would not go through the epidermis itself but would avoid penetrating into the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, or muscle layers, as the epidermis is the outermost layer that serves as a protective barrier.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you were getting an injection in the epidermis, the only layer it would not go through is the epidermis itself. The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin in mammals and serves as a barrier to water and pathogens. It is relatively thin and is composed of keratin-filled cells with no blood supply. Below it lies the dermis, which contains blood vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, lymph vessels, and sebaceous glands. Then comes the subcutaneous tissue (or hypodermis), a fatty layer that provides insulation and cushioning, contains blood vessels and sensory neuron axons, and attaches the dermis to underlying bone and muscle. An injection that reaches only the epidermis would not penetrate into the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, or muscle layers.