Canadian Medical Guide > Anatomy > Endocrine System > Endocrine Glands > Thymus Gland Terms and Definitions

Thymus Gland

Medical Definition:	A single, unpaired primary lymphoid organ situated in the MEDIASTINUM, extending superiorly into the neck to the lower edge of the THYROID GLAND and inferiorly to the fourth costal cartilage. It is necessary for normal development of immunologic function early in life. By puberty, it begins to involute and much of the tissue is replaced by fat.
Guide Notes:	dis: coord IM with LYMPHATIC DISEASES (IM); /surg: probably THYMECTOMY; thymocyte in immunol context is probably T-LYMPHOCYTES; agenesis, aplasia, dysplasia = DIGEORGE SYNDROME; thymic cyst = THYMIC CYST see MEDIASTINAL CYST

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