Thymus gland - The Endocrine Glands

THYMUS

The thymus gland is described further under the lymphatic system. This gland is located posterior to the sternum, in the mediastinum. It is large in infants and children; however, it reduces in size after puberty. The thymus is important for immunity and contains lymphocytes in various stages of develop-ment. Lymphocytes processed in the thymus, known as T lymphocytes, migrate to various parts of the body.

The gland is considered to have endocrine func-tion because it secretes many hormones (thymosins) that stimulate the synthesis and development of lym-phocytes.