Abstract: A disposable lancet for puncturing skin is disclosed herein. The lancet comprises a T-shaped housing, a reciprocally movable elongated body that embeds a puncturing needle and a leaf spring to bias the elongated body towards a safe neutral position, where the puncturing device is retracted in the housing. The elongated body is generally cross-shaped and is guided by projections in the housing that define a cross-shaped passage. The leaf spring is located in the handle portion of the T-shaped housing and cooperates with the elongated body via a slit provided in the elongated body. The lancet is operated by pressing a portion of the elongated body that extends from the handle portion of the housing at one end. The lancet is then in a puncturing position, where the puncturing needle extends out of the housing at the distal end thereof. The elongated body returns to the safe neutral position when the force applied to the elongated body is no longer sufficient to overcome the biasing action of the leaf spring.