A lancet device generally includes a housing (12) having opposing lateralsides extending between a forward end and a rearward end, and a shield (14)coaxially and movably associated with the housing. The housing includes aplurality of longitudinal ribs (36) extending along a portion of at least oneof the opposinglateral sides. The plurality of longitudinal ribs form a fingergrip on at leastone of, and typically both of the opposing lateral sides. Theshield is generally movable from a first position in which the shield extendsoutwardly from the forward end of the housing to a second position in whichthe shield is at least partially moved within the housing, based on axialpressure applied by the user against the finger grip formed by thelongitudinal ribs.
