What is the thymus?
Q: What is the thymus?
A: The thymus is a specialized lymphoid organ of the immune system.
Q: Where is the thymus located in the body?
A: The thymus is in front of the heart and behind the breastbone.
Q: What is the function of T cells?
A: T cells or T lymphocytes are critical to the adaptive immune system, where the body adapts specifically to foreign invaders.
Q: What happens in the thymus?
A: In the thymus, T cells develop from hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells and get tolerant to cells of the body.
Q: When is the thymus largest and most active?
A: The thymus is largest and most active during the newborn and pre-adolescent periods.
Q: Does the thymus continue to function throughout adult life?
A: Yes, the thymus continues to make lymphocytes throughout adult life, even though it begins to slow down by the early teens.
Q: Why is the thymus important for the immune system?
A: The thymus is important for the immune system because it is where T cells mature and gain tolerance to the body's own cells, which is essential for a functioning immune system.
