1. Animal tissue that constitutes the essential part of an organ as contrasted with e.g. connective tissue and blood vessels
   "The liver parenchyma is responsible for most of the organ's functions"
    
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
   "The leaf's parenchyma cells were packed with chloroplasts"

Derived forms: parenchymas

Type of: animal tissue, plant tissue

Part of: flesh, leaf, pith, pulp, root

Encyclopedia: Parenchyma