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).

Tipo Gland
Sistema corporal Lymphatic/Immune
Região corporal Thorax
Nome latino Thymus
FMA ID 9607

Função

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.

Significado clínico

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).

Sub-estruturas

cervical thymus Organ thoracic thymus Organ

Perguntas frequentes

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.

Estruturas relacionadas

parenchyma of spleen splenic parenchyma red bone marrow medulla ossium rubra reticuloendothelial system lymphoreticular Schweigger-Seidel sheath spleen B cell corona B cell domain of the spleen spleen capsule capsula splenica spleen follicular dendritic cell network FDC network non-lymphatic part of lymphoid system non-lymphatic lymphoid system

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Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.