Have you ever heard of what is called the thymus gland? In fact, it took scientists a lot of time to fully understand this organ. So what is this gland? Where is it located? What are its most important functions? Read this article for more details.

What is the thymus gland?

The thymus gland is also known as the thymus or thymus gland, and this gland remains active throughout childhood until adolescence, and then begins to gradually atrophy with age.

The thymus gland performs many functions, such as contributing to the maturation of T cells and T lymphocytes, which are the immune cells responsible for fighting infection, in addition to its secretion of some hormones with a prominent role in the vital functions of the body.

The thymus gland is located behind the breastbone, in front of the heart at the ascending aorta, and between the lungs. It may be in the upper chest area in the neck for some people, as indicated by one source.

The shape of the thymus gland

The thymus gland is a two-lobed gland, each lobe consisting of a central part and an outer cortex. It is large in size in infants and children, reaches its peak in adolescence, then begins to atrophy, and fat gradually replaces it until the gland completely disappears at the age of 75 Approximately as one source explains.

thymus function

The thymus gland is one of the important organs of the immune system, and the immune system does not function properly without it. bacteria and toxins, and they may also recognize and attack cancer cells.

thymus hormones

Sources indicate that thymus hormones work to combat aging, as a study published in 2016 explains, and help maintain learning and memory abilities. This gland secretes many hormones, namely:

Thymosin

It is the hormone responsible for stimulating the production of T cells. During childhood, white blood cells pass through the thymus gland, where they are transformed into T cells. Once mature, they travel to the lymph nodes of the immune system to fight disease and infection.

Thymopoietin and Thymulin

It is one of the hormones involved in converting T cells into different types to fight diseases.

In addition to the previous hormones, the thymus gland secretes small amounts of hormones secreted by some other glands in the body. Among these hormones:

• Melatonin: It is a hormone that regulates sleep and the body’s biological clock, and is primarily secreted by the pineal gland.
• insulin: The hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, and is secreted by the pancreas.
• Growth hormone: It is secreted by the pituitary gland.
• prolactin: It is the hormone developed for the breasts, and it is secreted by the pituitary gland as well.

Common diseases affecting the thymus gland

Hypoplasia/Aplasia of the gland

A genetic mutation may occur that leads to what is known as DiGeorge syndrome, which is a rare developmental disorder in children that affects many parts of the body. Some children with this disease may be born with either an underdeveloped thymus gland, or no gland at all. It results in severe immune disorders and an increased risk of infection.

Thymic Follicular Hyperplasia

When infected with this disease, the thymus gland becomes enlarged and swollen, and this can occur when developing autoimmune diseases such as lupus, myasthenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases.

thymus cancer

Cancer of the thymus gland is considered a rare disease, and one source indicates that there are two types of it, one of which is fast growing and spreading, which is a challenge to treat, and the other is slower spreading and rarely spreads outside the gland to the surrounding tissues.