A method for the assessment of the lung parenchyma in a human or an animal is indicated using a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the lung parenchyma acquired at different breathing positions in the same human or animal. The method comprises at least the steps of a.) estimating a change of the lung volume VL between the different breathing positions, b.) determining a signal intensity SI({right arrow over (x)}i) in at least one same region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma for each of the MR images, and c.) determining at least one respiratory index α({right arrow over (x)}i) according to the formula
