<P> The thymus is a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system . Within the thymus , T cells mature . T cells are critical to the adaptive immune system , where the body adapts specifically to foreign invaders . The thymus is composed of two identical lobes and is located anatomically in the anterior superior mediastinum , in front of the heart and behind the sternum . Histologically , each lobe of the thymus can be divided into a central medulla and a peripheral cortex which is surrounded by an outer capsule . The cortex and medulla play different roles in the development of T cells . Cells in the thymus can be divided into thymic stromal cells and cells of hematopoietic origin ( derived from bone marrow resident hematopoietic stem cells ) . Developing T cells are referred to as thymocytes and are of hematopoietic origin . Stromal cells include epithelial cells of the thymic cortex and medulla , and dendritic cells . </P>
<P> The thymus is a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system . Within the thymus , T cells mature . T cells are critical to the adaptive immune system , where the body adapts specifically to foreign invaders . The thymus is composed of two identical lobes and is located anatomically in the anterior superior mediastinum , in front of the heart and behind the sternum . Histologically , each lobe of the thymus can be divided into a central medulla and a peripheral cortex which is surrounded by an outer capsule . The cortex and medulla play different roles in the development of T cells . Cells in the thymus can be divided into thymic stromal cells and cells of hematopoietic origin ( derived from bone marrow resident hematopoietic stem cells ) . Developing T cells are referred to as thymocytes and are of hematopoietic origin . Stromal cells include epithelial cells of the thymic cortex and medulla , and dendritic cells . </P>
where is thymus gland located in the body
where is thymus gland located in the body
in the anterior superior mediastinum , in front of the heart and behind the sternum
in the anterior superior mediastinum , in front of the heart and behind the sternum