Parenchyma

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In animals

The parenchyma are the functional parts of an organ in the body (i.e. the nephrons of the kidney, the alveoli of the lungs, the white and red pulp of the spleen). This is in contrast to the stroma, which refers to the supporting tissue of organs.

In plants

Main article: Ground Tissue: Parenchyma

Parenchyma cells are thin-walled cells of the ground tissue that make up the bulk of most nonwoody structures, although sometimes their cell walls can be lignified. Parenchyma cells in between the epidermis and pericycle in a root or shoot constitute the cortex, and are used for storage of food. Parenchyma cells within the center of the root or shoot constitute the pith.

Origin of term

New Latin, from Greek parenkhuma, visceral flesh, from parenkhein, to pour in beside : para-, beside + en-, in + khein, to pour.

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