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

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