Stroma (animal tissue)

In animal tissue, stroma refers to the connective, non-functional supportive framework of a biological cell, tissue, or organ.

In plants, stroma refers to the fluid of the chloroplast surrounding the thylakoid membrane. The stromata are involved in the synthesis of organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water.

The stroma in animal tissue is contrasted with parenchyma and is synonymous with the interstitial space.

Examples include:
 * Stroma of iris
 * stroma of cornea
 * Stroma of ovary
 * stroma of thyroid gland
 * stroma of thymus
 * stromal fibroblasts of the red bone marrow

Stromal cells are the non-tumor cells in tumors.