Thymus

Diagram of the Human Endocrine Glands
Location of the Human Endocrine Glands

The thymus gland is one of the endocrine glands of the human body.
Endocrine glands differ from "exocrine" glands in that exocrine glands have ducts (so may be referred to as "ducted") whereas endocrine glands do not have ducts (and so may be referred to as "ductless").

It is located across the trachea & bronchi in the upper thorax (a bi-lobed organ in the root of the neck, above and in front of the heart).
The thymus is an important component of the immune system and, is enclosed in a capsule and divided internally by cross-walls into many lobules (full of T-lymphocytes).

In relation to body size the thymus is largest at birth. It doubles in size by puberty, after which it gradually shrinks, its functional tissue being replaced by fatty tissue. In infancy the thymus controls the development of lymphoid tissue and the immune response to microbes and foreign proteins (accounting for allergic response, antoimmunity, and the rejection of organ transplants). T-lymphocytes migrate from the bone marrow to the thymus, where they mature and differentiate until activated by antigen.

The thymus gland is secrets the hormone thymosin.

For a diagram indicating the locations within the body of each of the endocrine glands, see Endocrine Glands of the Human Body.

This may be of interest to students of courses in massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, and other first-level therapy or other health-related courses.

More about the Endocrine System

In the News:

Saffron adopted through ABC's Adopt-an-Herb Program - 7 Apr '20

Kale is in season in February - 7 Feb '20

Aromatherapy assoc. NAHA supports lavender via ABC's adopt-an-herb - 22 Dec '19

Garlic and Artichoke adopted through ABC's Adopt-an-Herb Program - 14 Jun '19

Cranberry Harvest underway in USA - 5 Oct '18

Total retail sales of herbal supplements in the USA exceeded $8 Billion in 2017 - 13 Sep '18

It's a bumper blueberry season - 13 Jul '18

Positive effects of exercise on blood cell populations - 20 Jun '18

Each one of us has many more talents to offer the world than we realise. Seek out your own special gifts.

Although care has been taken when compiling this page, the information contained might not be completely up to date. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This material is copyright. See terms of use.

IvyRose Holistic 2003-2024.