The hymenium as the upper tissue of an apothecium that contains the asci and paraphyses.
![](http://blogs.evergreen.edu/lichens/files/2011/03/apothecium-copy-300x254.jpg)
An apothecial cross section from Mycoblastus sanguinaria showing the hymenium, spores, and the blood red hypothecium from which the lichen gets its name. (A. Fischer 2/2011)