MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -The thymus is at its largest in children. The thymus reaches maximum weight (20 to 37 grams) by the time of puberty. As one ages, the thymus slowly shrinks, eventually degenerating into tiny islands of fatty tissue. By the age of 75 years, the thymus weighs only 6 grams.

Detailed explanation-2: -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. Fortunately, the thymus produces all of your T cells by the time you reach puberty.

Detailed explanation-3: -The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the production of immunocompetent T cells and, with aging, it atrophies and declines in functions.

Detailed explanation-4: -The size of thymus reduces with age. Therefore there is reduced production of thymosins in older individuals and their immune responses become weak.

Detailed explanation-5: -Thymic involution is the shrinking (involution) of the thymus with age, resulting in changes in the architecture of the thymus and a decrease in tissue mass.