Question

Write about thymus gland.

Answer 1

Thymus gland:

1. The thymus is a specialised and main lymphoid organ of the immune system.
2. In the thymus, the lymphocyte cells or T cells develop and mature.
3. T cells are very important for the adaptive immune system, wherein the body shows alterations according to foreign invaders.
4. The thymus is positioned in the upper frontal portion of the chest, behind the sternum, and right in front of the heart.
5. It is composed of two lobes, each containing a central medulla and an outer cortex, enclosed by a capsule.
6. The thymus is formed of immature T cells called thymocytes and the lining cells known as epithelial cells that help in the development of thymocytes.
7. The thymus is the largest and most active gland during the neonatal and pre-adolescent periods.
8. With the onset of early teens, the thymus decreases in size and activity and the tissues of the thymus gland are slowly replaced by fatty tissues.
9. Although some T cell development continues all through adult life.
10. Any dysfunction in the thymus can lead to a reduced number of T cells and autoimmune diseases.
11. This is commonly linked with cancer of the tissue of the thymus, called a thymoma.
12. The surgical process of removing the thymus gland is called thymectomy.