(Irregular plural: thymuses)
Lymphoid gland in lower part of throat, disappearing in adult.
The thymus gland.
Organ in vertebrates, situated in the upper chest cavity in humans. The thymus processes lymphocyte cells to produce T lymphocytes (t denotes “thymus-derived”), which are responsible for binding to specific invading organisms and killing them or rendering them harmless.
The thymus reaches full size at puberty, and shrinks thereafter; the stock of T-lymphocytes is built up early in life, so this function diminishes in adults, but the thymus continues to function as an endocrine gland, producing the hormone thymosin, which stimulates the activity of the T lymphocytes.
beim Tier Bries, Briesel, eine innersekretor. innere Brustdrüse unterhalb der Schilddrüse. Bei vielen Säugern u. beim Menschen verkümmert der T. mit Beginn der Pubertät. Die Hormone des T. zeigen Beziehung zum infantilen Wachstum u. zur primären Immunisierung.
ETYM New Lat., from Greek thymos.
Of, pertaining to, or designating, the thymus gland.
Large genus of Old World mints: thyme; Also called: genus Thymus.