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The Development of the Human Thymus Microenviroment

  • Chapter
The Human Thymus

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Pathology ((CT PATHOLOGY,volume 75))

Abstract

The thymus develops from a paired epithelial anläge in the cervix, which descends to the superior mediastinum anterior to the great vessels as they emerge from the heart. The two lobes become closely joined by connective tissue. In its final position the thymus extends from the pericardial sac, caudally, to the root of the neck, cranially. The cervical part of the thymus shows much variation in its subsequent differentiation, which is often asymmetrical. It may extend as a cord to the upper pole of the thyroid gland, or higher. It may also fragment, the portions perhaps persisting as smaller or larger accessory thymic glands (see BARGMANN 1943). By the end of the fetal period the thymus is a broad, irregularly lobulated organ situated in the upper mediastinum, overlapping the pericardium, and has two small processes extending into the neck. At this time the thymus attains its greatest relative weight, but its absolute weight continues to increase, reaching about 30 g at the end of the first year of life (see the chapter by STEINMANN, this volume). It then begins to undergo an involution, which progresses rapidly until in the adult the organ becomes largely replaced by adipose cells.

Dedicated to Professor HELMUT LEONHARDT on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

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  1. B. von Gaudecker
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  1. Pathologisches Institut der Universität Würzburg, Luitpoldkrankenhaus, Joseph-Schneider-Straße 2, D-8700, Würzburg, Germany

    Hans Konrad MĂĽller-Hermelink (Professor Dr.) (Professor Dr.)

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von Gaudecker, B. (1986). The Development of the Human Thymus Microenviroment. In: MĂĽller-Hermelink, H.K. (eds) The Human Thymus. Current Topics in Pathology, vol 75. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-82480-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-82480-7_1

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