intima

[ in-tuh-muh ]

/ ˈɪn tə mə /

noun, plural in·ti·mae [in-tuh-mee] /ˈɪn təˌmi/. Anatomy.

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

Nearby words

intestines, inthral, inthrone, inti, intifada, intima, intimacy, intimate, intimate borrowing, intimation, intimations of immortality

Origin of intima

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

Related forms

in·ti·mal, adjectivesub·in·ti·mal, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for intima

The changes affected chiefly the intima, to less degree the media, and histologically were very much like human intimal disease.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension:|Louis Marshall Warfield
During the third and fourth decades there is also distinct connective tissue thickening in the intima.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension:|Louis Marshall Warfield
He remarks also that he observed hyaline degeneration of the intima of arteries in the spleen.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
Spirochet pallid have been found in the degenerated media and in small gummata which were situated beneath the intima.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension:|Louis Marshall Warfield

The intima hypertrophies, layer upon layer being added in an attempt to restore the strength of the vessel.
Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension:|Louis Marshall Warfield

British Dictionary definitions for intima

intima

/ (ˈɪntɪmə) /

noun plural -mae (-ˌmiː)

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

Derived Forms

intimal, adjective

Word Origin for intima

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for intima

intima

[ ĭn′tə-mə ]

n. pl. in•ti•mas

The innermost coat of an organ.

Related forms

in′ti•mal adj.