Thymus

Thymus

A bilobed organ located in the anterior superior mediastinum, posterior to the sternum and anterior to the great vessels. It is largest during puberty (30-40g) and gradually involutes with age, being replaced by adipose tissue. Each lobe has a cortex (dense with immature T cells) and medulla (Hassall's corpuscles).

Typ Gland
Körpersystem Lymphatic/Immune
Körperregion Thorax
Lateinischer Name Thymus
FMA ID 9607

Funktion

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.

Klinische Bedeutung

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 age-related immune decline (immunosenescence).

Unterstrukturen

cervical thymus Organ thoracic thymus Organ

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is the Thymus?
A bilobed organ located in the anterior superior mediastinum, posterior to the sternum and anterior to the great vessels. It is largest during puberty (30-40g) and gradually involutes with age, being replaced by adipose tissue. Each lobe has a cortex (dense with immature T cells) and medulla (Hassal
What is the function of the 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.
What body system is the Thymus part of?
The Thymus is part of the Lymphatic/Immune.
What conditions affect the Thymus?
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 age-related immune decline (immunosenescence).
Where is the Thymus located?
The Thymus is located in the Thorax region of the body.

Verwandte Strukturen

haemal node hemal node trabecula of spleen spleen trabeculum bone marrow medulla of bone reticuloendothelial system lymphoreticular hilum of spleen hilum lymphoid tissue lymphatic tissue lymphoid system lymphatic circulatory system red bone marrow medulla ossium rubra

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