The thymus tissue is distinguishable into an outer zone, the cortex, and an inner zone, the medulla. The organ is composed principally of two types of cells, called, respectively, lymphocytes (see lymphocyte) and reticular cells.
What type of tissue is thymus?
Lymphoid tissue
: T-lymphocytes and the Thymus. The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ found within the superior mediatinum, behind the upper part of the sternum. This organ is active in children, but at the start of puberty, until old age, it starts to atrophy, producing fewer T-cells.
What is thymus?
The thymus gland is
a small organ that lies in the upper chest under the breastbone
. It makes white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which protect the body against infections.
Can the thymus hurt?
Symptoms caused by the tumor
Tumors in the thymus can press on nearby structures, causing symptoms such as: Shortness of breath. Cough (which may bring up bloody sputum)
Chest pain
.
Is the thymus a tissue or organ?
The thymus is located behind the breastbone above the heart. This
gland-like organ
reaches full maturity only in children, and is then slowly transformed to fatty tissue. Special types of immune system cells called thymus cell lymphocytes (T cells) mature in the thymus.
Can you feel your thymus?
You may know when you have activated the thymus gland as you will feel a
little tingling
or a subtle feeling of ‘joy' or ‘happiness. ‘ Another variation is to do three thumps at a time but emphasize the first thump more firmly. For some people it may take a little time before you ‘feel' anything.
Does the thymus produce white blood cells?
The thymus makes white blood cells called
T lymphocytes
(also called T cells). These are an important part of the body's immune system, which helps us to fight infection. The thymus produces all our T cells before we become teenagers.
Does the thymus contain lymph nodes?
The thymus differs structurally from other lymphoid organs in that it
does not have lymphatic
vessels draining into it. It is not a filter like the lymph nodes, which are situated so that microorganisms and other antigens are exposed to their cells.
Where is the thymus diagram?
| Thymus | TA2 5152 | FMA 9607 | Anatomical terminology |
|---|
At what age does the thymus disappear?
Once you reach puberty, the thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. By
age 75
, the thymus is little more than fatty tissue.
Can you live without thymus?
A person
without a thymus does not produce these T cells
and, therefore, is at great risk for developing infections. By the time humans reach puberty, the thymus has completed most of its role in the body, shrinks in physical size and becomes dormant.
What does the thymus do in adults?
The thymus is located in the chest behind the breastbone. It plays a key role
in immunity by producing immune cells
. The organ's primary function is maturing T cells, or T lymphocytes. These are white blood cells responsible for fighting infections.
What can go wrong with the thymus?
Diseases & conditions
The most common thymus diseases are
myasthenia gravis (MG)
, pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and hypogammaglobulinemia, according to the NLM. Myasthenia gravis occurs when the thymus is abnormally large and produces antibodies that block or destroy the muscles' receptor sites.
What does an enlarged thymus feel like?
Swelling in the face, neck, and upper chest, sometimes with
a bluish color
.
Swelling of the visible veins
in this part of the body. Headaches. Feeling dizzy or light-headed.
What type of doctor treats thymus gland?
What types of specialists treat thymomas?
Surgeons, including thoracic (chest) surgeons and surgical oncologists
, typically treat thymoma. Medical oncologists and radiation oncologists may be involved in the treatment team if other treatments indicate an aggressive thymoma or thymic carcinoma.
What does a normal thymus look like?
Thymic morphology varies greatly even in the same age group. For instance, in young adults, it is typically
bilobed and V-shaped
, with two small processes extending into the neck (Figs 3–Figs 5); however, it can also be unilobed, trilobed, or shaped like an X or inverted V (12). The size of the thymus varies as well.
