Etymology Borrowing from Late Latin superficiālis (“of or belonging to the surface”), from superficiēs (“top, surface”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).
Relational Existing, occurring, or located on the surface.
2
Anatomy, Medicine, SciencesOften, Relational, With to Close to the surface of the body; especially, situated or occurring on the skin or immediately beneath it.
superficial muscles
The epidermis is superficial to the subcutis.
1 more example
The superficial fascia surrounds the body and includes subcutaneous fat; the deep fascia surrounds the musculoskeletal system; the meningeal fascia surrounds the nervous system; the visceral fascia surrounds body cavities and organs.2018 November 8, Dr. Melina Jampolis, “The real science behind fascia ailments”, in CNN:
3
Appearing to be true or real only until examined more closely.
4
Not thorough, deep, or complete; concerned only with the obvious or apparent.
Secondly, I continue to base my concepts on intensive study of a limited suite of collections, rather than superficial study of every packet that comes to hand.1992, Rudolf M[athias] Schuster, The Hepaticae and Anthocerotae of North America: East of the Hundredth Meridian, volume V, Chicago, Ill.: Field Museum of Natural History, →ISBN, page vii:
5
Lacking depth of character or understanding; lacking substance or significance.
These infamous little green men appeared during the decisive seizures or buildings and facilities, only to disappear when associated militias and local troops arrived to consolidate the gains. In this way they provided a measure of deniability—however superficial or implausible—for Moscow.⁴⁰2014, "Little Green Men": A Primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013–2014, Fort Bragg, North Carolina: The United States Army Special Operations Command, page 43:
Etymology Borrowing from Late Latin superficiālis (“of or belonging to the surface”), from superficiēs (“top, surface”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).