What Is the Lymphatic System?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
5. Gross Anatomy - Thymus
The thymus is a lymphoid organ with two lobes in the superior mediastinum of the thorax behind the sternum. After puberty, it shrinks in size and becomes small and fatty due to degeneration. The main function of the thymus is the production and maturation of T lymphocytes. In the thymus, the T-lymphocytes don’t respond to foreign organisms or pathogens.
Once matured, the T-lymphocytes enter the circulation to go to other lymphatic organs to provide additional defense. The thymus is structurally similar to the spleen and lymph nodes. The thymus also produces a hormone known as thymosin that functions to help stimulate maturation of the T-lymphocytes in other organs.
Advertisement
