Uhlaka lwamathambo luhlaka lwesakhiwo esisekela umzimba wesilwane.Kunezinhlobo ezahlukahlukene zamathambo: i-exoskeleton, okuyigobolondo elizinzile elingaphandle lomzimba, i-endoskeleton, elenza isakhiwo sokweseka ngaphakathi komzimba, i-hydroskeleton, amathambo aguquguqukayo kusekelwa ingcindezi yoketshezi, kanye ne-cytoskeleton ekhona ku-cytoplasm yawo wonke amaseli, kufaka phakathi ama-bacteria, ne-archaea. Leli gama livela ku-Greek σκελετός (skeletós) 'omile'