Which term is used to refer to the functional tissue of an organ?

Which term is used to refer to the functional tissue of an organ?

• A. Parenchyma
• B. Cortex
• C. Stroma
• D. Medulla

Answer: (A)

Functional tissue of an organ is called parenchyma. This term refers to the cells that actually perform the organ’s job—those are the tissues driving the organ’s primary functions. The other part, stroma, is the supporting framework: connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and other structures that hold the organ together but don’t carry out its specific function. Regions like cortex and medulla are descriptive of layers or zones within an organ, not the general functional tissue itself. For example, liver parenchyma consists of hepatocytes that handle metabolism and detoxification, while the surrounding stroma provides support.

Functional tissue of an organ is called parenchyma. This term refers to the cells that actually perform the organ’s job—those are the tissues driving the organ’s primary functions. The other part, stroma, is the supporting framework: connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and other structures that hold the organ together but don’t carry out its specific function. Regions like cortex and medulla are descriptive of layers or zones within an organ, not the general functional tissue itself. For example, liver parenchyma consists of hepatocytes that handle metabolism and detoxification, while the surrounding stroma provides support.