Where is the thymus located in the body?

The thymus gland is in the chest, between the lungs and behind the breastbone (sternum). It is just in front of, and above, the heart. The thymus makes white blood cells called T lymphocytes (also called T cells). These are an important part of the body's immune system, which helps us to fight infection.

1. What is the thymus function?
2. Can you live without a thymus?
3. What does the thymus do in adults?
4. How can I improve my thymus?
5. What happens if the thymus does not function properly?
6. At what age does the thymus disappear?
7. How does stress affect the thymus gland?
8. How do I activate my thymus?
9. What kind of doctor treats thymus gland?
10. Are thymus and thyroid the same?
11. What will happen to the immune system if thymus gland is removed?
12. How do you test your thymus gland?
13. Can you see thymus on chest xray?
14. Is an enlarged thymus serious?

What is the thymus function?

The thymus is an organ that is critically important to the immune system which serves as the body's defense mechanism providing surveillance and protection against diverse pathogens, tumors, antigens and mediators of tissue damage.

Can you live without a thymus?

The thymus rests on the heart and functions as a "schoolhouse" for immune cells. As cells pass through the thymus they are trained to become T cells, white blood cells that fight infection. A person without a thymus does not produce these T cells and, therefore, is at great risk for developing infections.

What does the thymus do in adults?

The thymus produces progenitor cells, which mature into T-cells (thymus-derived cells). The body uses T-cells help destroy infected or cancerous cells. T-cells created by the thymus also help other organs in the immune system grow properly.

How can I improve my thymus?

'Zinc is one of the most important immune-boosting minerals, and promotes the function of the thymus gland, which controls the entire immune system. It also increases the production and activity of infection-fighting white blood cells, and has direct anti-viral properties.

What happens if the thymus does not function properly?

The thymus is an essential part of the immune system. Without it, the immune system cannot function properly. Early studies in the 1960s tested its importance by removing it from mice. The experiments showed mice without a thymus had immunodeficiency, which is a failure of the immune system to fight infection.

At what age does the thymus disappear?

The thymus is special in that, unlike most organs, it is at its largest in children. Once you reach puberty, the thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. By age 75, the thymus is little more than fatty tissue.

How does stress affect the thymus gland?

Stress-induced thymic atrophy

Some of the hallmarks of this thymic response to stress include a reduction in double-positive (DP) thymocytes and reduced output of naïve T cells to the periphery; both of which can significantly reduce the size of the thymus gland.

How do I activate my thymus?

You can thump in the middle of your chest with your fist (think Tarzan). Or, you may want to rub softly or firmly or scratch with four fingers of your hand. Do this for about 20 seconds and breathe deeply in and out.

What kind of doctor treats thymus gland?

Who treats thymus cancer? Your health care team may include: Thoracic surgeon: a surgeon who specializes in chest surgery. Radiation oncologist: a doctor who treats cancer with radiation therapy.

Are thymus and thyroid the same?

Thyroid vs. Thymus: Are They the Same Thing?: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the lower part of the throat that regulates thyroid hormones. The thymus is an organ that is located just behind the breastbone and is part of the body's immune system.

What will happen to the immune system if thymus gland is removed?

Thymus is the primary lymphoid organ. In thymus, immature lymphocytes differentiate into antigen-sensitive-lymphocytes. If thymus gland is removed, person's immune system will becomes weak and he will be more prone to infectious diseases.

How do you test your thymus gland?

Your doctor can use an x-ray of your chest to look at your thymus gland. A CT scan takes a series of x-rays, which build up a three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. A PET-CT scan gives more detailed information about the part of the body being scanned.

Can you see thymus on chest xray?

Plain chest X-ray (CXR)

The thymus is seen as a superior mediastinal widening. Borders of normal thymus were either convex, straight, wavy, or sail-like. The commonest thymic border was the wavy border which was presented in about 50% of patients.

Is an enlarged thymus serious?

Thymic hyperplasia is a condition in which the thymus gland is inflamed. This is a benign condition and can be associated with a number of other medical conditions, such as thyroid abnormalities. Thymic hyperplasia can also be seen in association with MG.