Abstract: A puncture needle assembly includes a hollow, open-ended stylet with a beveled distal end and an outwardly extending stabilizer fin located at the proximal end of the stylet in line with the beveled end of the stylet. A needle cannula is disposed exteriorly on the stylet for slidably receiving the stylet. The needle cannula releasably interlocks with the stylet, and includes a pair of wings that fold towards each other for gripping the stabilizer fin of the stylet in the interlocked position, with the proximal end of the stylet spaced away from the wing fold portions to facilitate visibility of blood passing from a blood vessel through the stylet out an opening in the proximal end thereof.