What is parenchyma?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: March 15, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Parenchyma refers to the functional tissue of an organ, such as the lung, which in the context of lung disease, is often discussed in relation to diffuse parenchymal lung disease or pulmonary fibrosis. The term "parenchyma" is crucial in understanding various lung conditions, including those that affect the lung's functional tissue. In the context of lung ultrasound, the presence of multiple B-lines in a diffuse and nonhomogeneous distribution is a primary sonographic sign of diffuse parenchymal lung disease 1. This finding is significant because it correlates with computed tomography (CT) signs of fibrosis, as noted in patients with diffuse parenchymal lung disease (pulmonary fibrosis) 1.

When considering the diagnosis of conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, understanding the parenchymal changes is vital. For instance, photomicrographs of lung biopsy samples can show patchy paucicellular fibrosis causing architectural distortion, which is relevant to the identification of a fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP) pattern of fibrosis 1. The presence of bronchiolar fibrosis, poorly formed granulomas, and peribronchiolar metaplasia are also important findings in the diagnosis of fHP 1.

Key points to consider in the context of parenchymal lung disease include:

  • The role of lung ultrasound in evaluating diffuse parenchymal lung disease
  • The correlation between sonographic findings and CT signs of fibrosis
  • The importance of lung biopsy in diagnosing specific patterns of fibrosis, such as those seen in fHP
  • The distinction between different types of fibrotic lung diseases, including usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and fHP

Given the complexity of lung diseases and the importance of precise diagnosis for effective management, consulting with a healthcare provider or a specialist in pulmonary medicine is essential for patients suspected of having parenchymal lung disease. This ensures that patients receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans tailored to their specific conditions.

From the Research

Definition of Parenchyma

There are no research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies do not mention the term "parenchyma" or provide any relevant information about it.

Relevant Information

  • The provided studies focus on uncertainty in healthcare, diagnostic processes, and anxiety disorders, but do not provide any information about parenchyma.
  • Studies such as 2, 3, and 4 discuss uncertainty in healthcare, while 5 explores defensive medicine as a symptom of uncertainty, and 6 discusses anxiety disorders.
  • None of these studies provide any relevant information about parenchyma, its definition, or its relation to the topics discussed.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Varieties of uncertainty in health care: a conceptual taxonomy.

Medical decision making : an international journal of the Society for Medical Decision Making, 2011

Research

Defensive medicine: A symptom of uncertainty?

Musculoskeletal science & practice, 2022

Research

Anxiety disorders.

Lancet (London, England), 2021

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.