parenchyma

noun

pa·​ren·​chy·​ma pə-ˈreŋ-kə-mə 

1

: the essential and distinctive tissue of an organ or an abnormal growth as distinguished from its supportive framework

2

: a tissue of higher plants that consists of thin-walled living photosynthetic or storage cells capable of division even when mature and that makes up much of the substance of leaves and roots, the pulp of fruits, and parts of stems and supporting structures

parenchymal

pə-ˈreŋ-kə-məl 

ˌper-ən-ˈkī

ˌpa-rən-

adjective

parenchymatous

ˌper-ən-ˈkī-mə-təs 

-ˈki-

ˌpa-rən-

adjective

Examples of parenchyma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The authors conclude that A combination of Ki67 and doublecortin immunoreactivity demonstrates that in humans, the density of proliferating cells, and neuroblasts in particular, declines markedly with age in the SVZ and SGZ and by four years of age is no greater than in the adjacent parenchyma... —Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 27 July 2016

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek, visceral flesh, from parenchein to pour in beside, from para- + en- en- + chein to pour — more at found

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parenchyma

• spongy parenchyma

Kids Definition

parenchyma

noun

pa·​ren·​chy·​ma pə-ˈreŋ-kə-mə 

1

: the tissue of an animal organ (as a gland) that performs the work of the organ as compared to tissue which only gives support or serves as a framework

2

: a tissue of higher plants consisting of thin-walled living cells that remain capable of cell division even when mature, are the location where photosynthesis takes place and materials and food are stored, and make up much of the substance of leaves and roots and the pulp of fruits as well as parts of stems and supporting structures

Medical Definition

parenchyma

noun

pa·​ren·​chy·​ma pə-ˈreŋ-kə-mə 

: the essential and distinctive tissue of an organ or an abnormal growth as distinguished from its supportive framework