Thymus: , pl. thymi, thymuses [TA] [TA] A primary lymphoid organ, located in the superior and anterior mediastinum and lower part of the neck, that is necessary in early life for the normal development of immunologic function. It reaches its greatest relative weight shortly after birth and its greatest absolute weight at puberty; it then begins to involute, and much of the lymphoid tissue is replaced by fat. The thymus consists of two irregularly shaped parts united by a connective tissue capsule. Each part is partially subdivided by connective tissue septa into lobules, 0.5-2 mm in diameter, which consist of an inner medullary portion, continuous with the medullae of adjacent lobules, and an outer cortical portion. It is supplied by the inferior thyroid and internal thoracic arteries, and its nerves are derived from the vagus and sympathetic nerves. SYN: thymus gland. [G. thymos, excrescence, sweetbread]
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Thymus: An organ that is part of the lymphatic system, in which T lymphocytes grow and multiply. The thymus is in the chest behind the breastbone.
Source: National Institute of Health
Thymus: a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age.
Source: WordNet 2.1
Thymus: single, unpaired primary lymphoid organ situated in the mediastinum; it is necessary for normal development of immunologic function early in life but by puberty it begins to involute and much of the tissue is replaced by fat.
Source: CRISP
Thymus (organ): The thymus is an organ of the immune system and endocrine system and an important gland during fetal development and in childhood. The thymus is made up of lymphatic tissue produces hormones that are needed for the development of T-lymphocytes and the normal development of the immune system and the immune response to potential infection by pathogens. It is located behind the sternum in the chest and becomes smaller as a child grows into adulthood.
Conditions that can afflict the thymus include thymomas and lymphoma.
Thymus (organ): See Thymus (organ information).
More information on organs: Thymus:
Source - WordNet 2.1
Source - CRISP
Source - WordNet 2.1
Source: CRISP
The following list attempts to classify Thymus into categories where each line is subset of the next.
Source: WordNet 2.1
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