What Is Myasthenia Gravis?
3. Thymus Gland
The thymus gland is a gland that is located in just beneath your sternum (breastbone) in the upper part of your chest. It tends to be relatively larger in babies and children as it plays an important part in the immune system. As we get older, however, its part in the immune system decreases, and the gland grows smaller.
In adults, the thymus gland tends to be a small area of fatty tissue. For some people, however, this gland will be larger than usual. It is thought that the gland is responsible for certain antibodies that block acetylcholine, thus resulting in myasthenia gravis. This can also be caused by thyomas which are tumors of the thymus gland.
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