MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -How big is the thymus gland? The thymus gland is quite big in babies and children. It reaches its biggest weight of about 1 ounce during puberty. After puberty, it begins to shrink, and in older adults, it’s rather small.

Detailed explanation-2: -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.

Detailed explanation-3: -The thymus gland grows to its largest size during childhood and makes all the T cells we need before we become teenagers. After this, it gradually gets smaller, becomes less active and is replaced by fatty tissue. The thymus also produces a hormone called thymosin that helps make and develop T cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -In males, a precipitous drop in thymic cellularity occurs from 1 to 3 months of age followed by a lower slope of involution from 3 to 7 months old. The greatest difference in thymic cellularity between the sexes that occurs during involution is most notable around 3 months of age (Fig.

Detailed explanation-5: -The thymus is a vital yet unusual organ. Vital in that it is responsible for producing immune cells; unusual in that it is largest at childhood and progressively shrinks after puberty. The result is less T cell production, which should lead to a higher risk of infection or cancer.