What is "parenchyma"

parenchyma \pa*ren"chy*ma\ (p[.a]*r[e^][ng]"k[i^]*m[.a]), n. [NL., from Gr. pare`gchyma, fr. paregchei^n to pour in beside; para` beside + 'en in + chei^n to pour: cf. F. parenchyme.] (Biol.) The soft cellular substance of the tissues of plants and animals, like the pulp of leaves, the soft tissue of glands, and the like.

1650s, Modern Latin, from Greek parenkhyma "something poured in beside," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + enkhyma "infusion," from en- "in" + khein "to pour" (see found (v.2)). In ancient physiology, the stuff that was supposed to make up the liver, lungs, etc., which was believed to be formed from blood strained through the capillaries and congealed.

n. 1 (context animal biology English) The functional part of an organ, as opposed to supporting tissue. 2 (context botany English) The ground tissue making up most of the non-woody parts of a plant.

1. n. animal tissue that constitutes the essential part of an organ as contrasted with e.g. connective tissue and blood vessels

2. the primary tissue of higher plants composed of thin-walled cells that remain capable of cell division even when mature; constitutes the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruits, and the pith of stems

Parenchyma is the bulk of a substance. In animals, a parenchyma comprises the functional parts of an organ and in plants parenchyma is the ground tissue of nonwoody structures.

The term parenchyma is New Latin, f. Greek παρέγχυμα - parenkhuma, "visceral flesh", f. παρεγχεῖν - parenkhein, "to pour in" f. para-, "beside" + en-, "in" + khein, "to pour".