Spleen vs Thymus
| Property | Spleen | Thymus |
|---|---|---|
| Latin Name | Lien | Thymus |
| Type | Organ | Gland |
| Body System | Lymphatic/Immune | Lymphatic/Immune |
| Body Region | Abdomen | Thorax |
| Function | The largest lymphoid organ, filtering blood and removing old or damaged red blood cells. Stores platelets and monocytes. Produces antibodies and mounts immune responses against blood-borne pathogens. | The primary lymphoid organ responsible for T-lymphocyte maturation and selection. T cells develop from bone marrow precursors and undergo positive and negative selection in the thymus to become immunocompetent while … |
| Clinical Significance | Splenic rupture from blunt abdominal trauma is a surgical emergency. Splenomegaly occurs in various hematologic and infectious conditions. Post-splenectomy patients are at increased risk for encapsulated bacterial infections. | Myasthenia gravis is associated with thymic hyperplasia or thymoma; thymectomy can be therapeutic. DiGeorge syndrome involves thymic aplasia and severe T cell immunodeficiency. The thymus involutes with age, contributing to … |
| FMA ID | 7196 | 9607 |
Full structure pages
Spleen
Lien
The largest lymphoid organ, filtering blood and removing old or damaged red blood cells. Stores platelets and monocytes. Produces antibodies and mounts immune responses against blood-borne pathogens.
Thymus
Thymus
The primary lymphoid organ responsible for T-lymphocyte maturation and selection. T cells develop from bone marrow precursors and undergo positive and negative selection in the thymus to become immunocompetent while avoiding autoimmunity.