Prostate under a microscope This image shows the microscopic glands of the prostate

In animal tissue, stroma (from Greek στρῶμα, meaning “bed, bed covering”) refers to the connective, non-functional supportive framework of a biological cell, tissue, or organ.

The stroma in animal tissue is contrasted with the parenchyma.

Examples include:

• Stroma of iris
• stroma of cornea
• Stroma of ovary
• stroma of thyroid gland
• stroma of thymus
• Stroma of bone marrow

Stromal cells are the non-tumor cells in tumors.

[edit] External links

• stroma at eMedicine Dictionary
• Stroma at Dorland's Medical Dictionary

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