Question

Which of the following thymus compartment is less populated with thymocytes?

• A. Cortex
• B. Medulla
• C. Outer compartment
• D. Middle compartment

Answer 1

The correct option is B Medulla

The thymus is a flat, bilobed organ situated above the heart beneath the breast bone. Each lobe is divided into two compartments, namely the cortex and the medulla.

The cortex is the outer compartment and the medulla is the inner compartment. The cortex is densely packed with immature T-lymphocytes while the medulla is poorly populated with thymocytes. Hence option b is correct.

Thymocyte is an immune cell present in the thymus, before it undergoes transformation into a T-cell. Thymocytes are produced as stem cells in the bone marrow and reach the thymus via the blood.

Thymus is larger in size at the time of birth and starts decreasing in size after puberty. It helps in the maturation and selection of T-lymphocytes by providing them proper micro-environment. T-lymphocytes are associated with cell-mediated immunity.

Figure : Structure of thymus