The thymus gland is the main organ of the lymphatic system. Located in the upper chest region, the primary function of this gland is to promote the development of specific cells of the immune system called T lymphocytes.
Thymus: An organ that is located in the upper chest behind the breastbone and in front of the lower neck in which the immune cells called T lymphocytes mature and multiply in early life. The thymus begins to shrink after puberty.  The immune system is composed of specialized cells, glands, and organs. One important part of the immune system is the thymus, which is a pyramid-shaped organ of the immune system that is involved in producing T cells, or lymphocytes. The thymus is located in the chest in an area in front of the heart and directly behind the sternum. Functions of the Thymus. One critical part of the immune system is a group of white blood cells known as lymphocytes. And one of the types of lymphocyte cells actively involved in immunity is the T cells. These cells get their name because they are derived from the thymus. The thymus gland is a flask-shaped organ lying in the lower neck and upper part of the mediastinum (superior mediastinum) in the chest cavity. It is an important part of the immune system in that it plays a major role in cell-mediated immunity. The thymus gland is most active in early life and this is reflected in its weight – 20 to 30 grams at birth, 30 to 50 grams up until puberty and 5 to 15 grams in old age. Its size at birth is approximately 50 millimeters in length and 40 millimeters in width with a variable thickness of about 6 millimeters. The thymus is a soft, roughly triangular organ located in the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity anterior and superior to the heart and posterior to the sternum.... The thymus gland, despite containing glandular tissue and producing several hormones, is much more closely associated with the immune system than with the endocrine system. The thymus serves a vital role in the training and development of T-lymphocytes or T cells, an extremely important type of white blood cell The thymus gland lies in the anterior part of the thoracic cavity. It extends from the inferior part of the neck to the superior mediastinum. It lies posterior to the manubrium of the sternum (breastbone) and variations in size may see it extend into the upper part of the inferior mediastinum (below the sternal angle). The thymus gland is most active in early life and this is reflected in its weight – 20 to 30 grams at birth, 30 to 50 grams up until puberty and 5 to 15 grams in old age. Its size at birth is approximately 50 millimeters in length and 40 millimeters in width with a variable thickness of about 6 millimeters. What is Thymus and Definition. A structure of lymphatic tissue located in the upper central chest, behind the sternum (breastbone) midway between top of the HEART and the sternal notch at the base of the THROAT. The thymus is fairly large at birth, spreading in a loosely shaped “H” across the great vessels that emerge from the heart. Summary. The thymus gland acts to regulate the immune system through the development of immune cells responsible for cell mediated immunity. In addition to immune function, the thymus also produces hormones that promote growth and maturation. Thymic hormones influence structures of the endocrine system, including the pituitary gland and adrenal glands, to assist in growth and sexual development. Once mature, these cells leave the thymus and are transported via blood vessels to the lymph nodes and spleen. T lymphocytes are responsible for cell mediated immunity, which is an immune response that involves the activation of certain immune cells to fight infection. The thymus is a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system. Within the thymus, T cells or T lymphocytes mature. T cells are critical to the adaptive immune system, where the body adapts specifically to foreign invaders. The thymus is composed of two identical lobes and is located anatomically in the anterior superior mediastinum, in front of the heart and behind the sternum. As the thymus is the organ of T-cell development, any congenital defect in thymic genesis or a defect in thymocyte development can lead to a profound T cell deficiency in primary immunodeficiency disease. Thymus. The thymus gland is the main organ of the lymphatic system. Located in the upper chest region, the primary function of this gland is to promote the development of specific cells of the immune system called T lymphocytes. Once mature, these cells leave the thymus and are transported via blood vessels to the lymph nodes and spleen. T lymphocytes are responsible for cell mediated immunity, which is an immune response that involves the activation of certain immune cells to fight infection.
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description and function of thymus gland