intima

[in-tuh-muh]

noun

Anatomy.

plural

intimae 

1. the innermost membrane or lining of some organ or part, especially that of an artery, vein, or lymphatic.

intima

/ ˈɪntɪmə /

noun

1. anatomy zoology the innermost layer of an organ or part, esp of a blood vessel

Other Word Forms

• intimal adjective
• subintimal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intima¹

1870–75; < New Latin, noun use of feminine of Latin intimus, intumus inmost, equivalent to in- in- ² + -timus superlative suffix; optimal, ultimate

Word History and Origins

Origin of intima¹

C19: from Latin, feminine of intimus innermost; see _intimate ¹

Example Sentences

These mimic the layered structure of the native vascular wall, which, from inside out, is composed of the tunica intima, tunica media and tunica adventitia tissues.

From Science Daily

The intima of these vessels was in places so swollen as to resemble cylindrical or spindle-shaped hyaline masses, and cause narrowing of the lumina of the vessels in which this degeneration occurred.

From Project Gutenberg

Using in vitro and ex vivo models of vessel wall stiffness and aging, we show that stiffening of extracellular matrix within the intima promotes endothelial cell permeability—a hallmark of atherogenesis.

From Science Magazine

The whole vascular system, including the heart, has an endothelial lining, which may constitute a distinct inner coat, the tunica intima, or may be without coverings, as in the case of the capillaries.

From Project Gutenberg

The internal, serous, or tunica intima, is the thinnest, and is continuous with the lining membrane of the heart.

From Project Gutenberg