parenchyma noun. [pǝ'rɛŋkɪmǝ] Pl. parenchymata [parɛŋ'kɪmǝtǝ]. Also parenchym, parenchyme [-kɪm]. M17.
[Greek paregkhuma something poured in besides, formed as PARA-¹ + egkhuma infusion.]
1. Anatomy & Zoology.
a. The functional tissue of a gland or other organ, as distinguished from connective tissue or stroma, and from muscular tissue. M17.
b. Cellular tissue composing the main bulk of the body in acoelomate invertebrates, esp. flatworms. M17.

2. Botany. Soft succulent tissue, consisting of isodiametric thin-walled cells, and freq. intercellular spaces, found esp. in the softer parts of leaves, the pulp of fruits, the bark and pith of stems, etc. Cf. PROSENCHYMA. M17.

■ parenchymal,

■ parenchy'matic adjectives of, pertaining to, or consisting of parenchyma, parenchymatous M19.

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