intima

noun

in·​ti·​ma ˈin-tə-mə 

plural intimae ˈin-tə-ˌmē  -ˌmī  or intimas

: the innermost coat of an organ (such as a blood vessel) consisting usually of an endothelial layer backed by connective tissue and elastic tissue

intimal

ˈin-tə-məl 

adjective

Examples of intima in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An artery is made of three layers, so the intima is the inner layer. . . . —Will Self, Harper's Magazine, 12 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, feminine of intimus

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

intima

noun

in·​ti·​ma ˈint-ə-mə 

plural intimae -ˌmē  -ˌmī  or intimas

: the innermost coat of an organ (as a blood vessel) consisting usually of an endothelial layer backed by connective tissue and elastic tissue

called also tunica intima

intimal

-məl 

adjective