From the Guidelines
Parenchyma refers to the functional tissue of an organ, composed of cells that perform the organ's specialized functions, and is crucial in medicine as many diseases target these cells, leading to organ dysfunction, as seen in conditions such as cirrhosis affecting liver parenchyma and pneumonia impacting lung parenchyma 1.
Definition and Function
Parenchyma is the functional tissue of an organ, made up of cells that carry out the organ's primary functions. In plants, parenchyma cells are responsible for photosynthesis, storage, and wound healing, while in animals, parenchyma refers to the essential cells of organs like the liver, kidneys, and lungs that perform specialized functions. For example, hepatocytes in the liver parenchyma detoxify blood and produce bile, and nephrons in kidney parenchyma filter blood and form urine.
Importance in Medicine
Understanding parenchyma is crucial in medicine because many diseases specifically target these functional cells, leading to organ dysfunction. Conditions such as cirrhosis affect liver parenchyma, while pneumonia impacts lung parenchyma, compromising the organ's ability to perform its essential functions. The presence of pleural plaques, for instance, provides useful corollary evidence that the parenchymal process is asbestos-related, as seen in studies on asbestos exposure 1.
Key Points
- Parenchyma is the functional tissue of an organ, composed of cells that perform the organ's specialized functions.
- Parenchyma is crucial in medicine as many diseases target these cells, leading to organ dysfunction.
- Conditions such as cirrhosis and pneumonia affect parenchyma, compromising organ function.
- The presence of pleural plaques provides evidence of asbestos-related parenchymal disease.
- Understanding parenchyma is essential for diagnosing and managing diseases that affect organ function, as highlighted in studies on asbestos exposure and its effects on lung parenchyma 1.
From the Research
Definition of Parenchyma
- Parenchyma refers to the functional parts of an organ, as opposed to the supportive or structural parts [(2,3,4,5,6)].
- In the context of lung diseases, parenchyma refers to the pulmonary tissue that is responsible for gas exchange and elasticity [(2,3,4,5,6)].
Characteristics of Parenchymal Lung Diseases
- Diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLDs) are characterized by widespread pathological changes within the pulmonary tissue [(2,4,6)].
- These changes can impair the elasticity and gas exchange properties of the lungs 2.
- DPLDs can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic mutations, drug-induced reactions, and autoimmune disorders [(4,5,6)].
Types of Parenchymal Lung Diseases
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a type of DPLD characterized by scarring of the lung tissue 6.
- Interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features is a new entity that has been recognized as a type of DPLD 6.
- Scleroderma-related interstitial lung disease is another type of DPLD that has been studied 6.
Diagnosis and Management of Parenchymal Lung Diseases
- Diagnosis of DPLDs can be challenging and requires a combination of clinical, radiological, and pathological evaluations [(2,3,6)].
- Management of DPLDs includes drug withdrawal, corticosteroid therapy, and other treatments depending on the underlying cause 5.
- New therapeutic approaches are being developed for the treatment of DPLDs, including the use of azithromycin 4 and other medications 6.