| Stroma | |
|---|---|
 Prostate under a microscope This image shows the microscopic glands of the prostate | |
| Details | |
| Part of | Connective tissue |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | stroma |
| TH | H2.00.00.0.00003 |
| FMA | 81494 81494, 81494 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Stroma (from Ancient Greek στρῶμα 'layer, bed, bed covering') is the part of atissue ororgan with a structural or connective role. It is made up of all the parts without specific functions of the organ - for example, connective tissue, blood vessels, ducts, etc. The other part, theparenchyma, consists of the cells that perform the function of the tissue or organ.[1]
There are multiple ways of classifying tissues: one classification scheme is based on tissue functions and another analyzes their cellular components. Stromal tissue falls into the "functional" class that contributes to the body's support and movement.The cells which make up stroma tissues serve as a matrix in which the other cells are embedded.[2] Stroma is made of various types ofstromal cells.
Examples of stroma include:
Stromal connective tissues are found in the stroma; this tissue belongs to the group connective tissue proper. The function of connective tissue proper is to secure theparenchymal tissue, including blood vessels and nerves of the stroma, and to construct organs and spread mechanicaltension to reduce localised stress. Stromal tissue is primarily made ofextracellular matrix containing connective tissue cells. Extracellular matrix is primarily composed ofground substance - a porous, hydrated gel, made mainly fromproteoglycan aggregates - and connective tissue fibers. There are three types of fibers commonly found within the stroma:collagen type I,elastic, andreticular (collagen type III) fibres.
