A syringe adapter, which permits use of syringes of various types and sizes to be used with a front-loading injector, includes a piston extension and an adapter face plate. The piston extension includes structure for connecting the piston extension to a drive piston of the injector and a plunger of the syringe. The adapter face plate includes a mounting device for attaching the adapter face plate to an injector and a recess for receiving the distal flange of the syringe. The adapter face plate may also include locking pivot arms for releasably engaging the syringe flange.