Intima
/ˈɪn.tɪ.mə/noun
The innermost layer of a blood vessel or other hollow organ.
Did you know?Intima is borrowed from Latin intimus, the superlative of inwardness—literally “most inside”—which is also the source of intimate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*en
“In, within”
Classical Latin
Latin
intus
“Within; on the inside”
Classical Latin
Latin
intimus
“Innermost; deepest within”
Medieval Latin
Latin
intima
“The innermost part or layer, feminine form of intimus”
19th Century
English
intima
“The innermost anatomical lining, especially of a blood vessel”
Modern English
English
intima
“The innermost layer of a vessel or hollow organ”