The thymus gland is the central organ of immunogenesis
Endocrine organs are internal glandssecretions that do not have excretory ducts, the most important of which are: epiphysis, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, as well as genital and pancreatic glands. In addition, there are glands that combine the formation of hormones with other, non-endocrine functions, they include the hypothalamus, pancreas, ovaries, placenta and thymus gland. Also, in addition to the endocrine system, other organs can also release hormones into the blood: salivary glands, paraurethral gland, kidneys, liver, stomach and intestines.
Thymus gland, also called goitergland or thymus, is the main organ of immunogenesis. Its main task is to regulate the formation and functioning of the immune system. It is in it is the transformation of hematopoietic stem cells into T-lymphocytes.
The thymus gland is located behind the sternum inthe upper part of the chest, above the vascular bundle of the heart. It consists of two asymmetric fused lobes, covered with a thin connective tissue capsule and consists of a cerebral and cortical substance. The proportions of the thymus gland are different in magnitude, there are cases when this gland had an intermediate share. The gland tissue consists of multifaceted epithelio-reticulocytes, which form a three-dimensional network, with lymphocytes lying in the loops.
Filling of the thymus gland occurs onsecond month of pregnancy, and at the time of birth, this gland has a maximum size relative to the total surface area of the human body. As you grow up, this ratio decreases, and to old age it is almost completely atrophied, and all of its functional tissue is replaced with fat tissue. Numerous arteries, which originate from the inner thoracic and lower thyroid arteries, provide blood supply to the thymus gland. Her veins flow into the inner thoracic and brachiocephalic veins, the innervation is carried out by branches of the sympathetic and vagus nerves.
The most reliable and informative methods of diagnosis are immunological and cytological studies, as well as X-ray methods.
In the event that the thymus gland has defectsdevelopment, such as aplasia and hypoplasia, there are phenomena of primary immunodeficiency, which is accompanied by signs of severe inhibition of the immune system, as well as recurrent inflammatory diseases of the intestine and airways. These phenomena are very often the cause of death of patients. Therefore, in the presence of recurrent inflammatory diseases of the intestine and respiratory tract in children of early infancy, the study of the functional state of the thymus must be performed in order to exclude an increase in the thymus gland in the child. Diagnosis of this increase is possible only with the help of radiographic examination. The main radiographic evidence of the presence of an increase in the thymus gland is the detection of a special symptom called a columnar or bizarre heart, when the shadow of the enlarged thymus gland merges with the heart's shadow, creating a whimsical picture of the shadow.
The main symptoms of thymic diseaseglands are: an increase in the majority of lymph nodes, tonsils, adenoids, thymus, developmental abnormalities (hip dislocation, syndactyly, hernia), hypotension, marbled skin, heart rhythm disturbance, hyperhidrosis, obesity.
Treatment of conditions caused by dysfunctionthymus gland, consists in its removal (thymectomy), diet therapy and therapy with corticosteroid preparations. If the existing thymus hyperplasia does not have clinical manifestations, active medical intervention is not required.
