Infection and Immunity Anatomy Flashcards
(114 cards)
Where is the thymus gland found?
In the thorax in the anterior mediastinum
Where does the thymus gland lie?
Posterior to the sternum, and anterior to the pericardium
What happens to the thymus gland as we age?
It gradually enlarges during childhood, but after puberty undergoes a process of involution
What is the result of the process of involution on the thymus gland?
Reduciton in the functioning mass of the gland
When does the thymus gland cease to function?
It doesn’t- it continues to function throughout life
Label this diagram

- A - Fourth thoracic vertebra
- B - Right pulmonary artery
- C - Tracheobronchial lymph nodes
- D - Transverse pericardial sinus
- E - Left atrium
- F - Oblique pericardial sinus
- G - Thoracic duct
- H - Spinal cord
- I - Oesophagus
- J - Inferior vena cava
- K - Descending aorta
- L - Diaphragm
- M - Pericardial cavity
- N - Right atrium
- O - Right ventricle
- P - Ascending aorta
- Q - Sterum
- R - Thymus
- S - Transverse thoracic plane
- T - Arch of aorta
- U - Left brachiocephalic vein
- V - Branchiocephalic trunk
- W - Trachea
What is the thymus gland arranged into?
Outer cortex and inner cortex
How does the outer cortex differ from the inner medulla?
It is more cellular
What does the inner medulla of the thymus gland havw?
Hassall’s corpuscles
What are Hassall’s corpuscles?
Aggregated thymic epithelial cells
What is the cellular composition of the thymus gland?
- Lymphoid cells
- Macrophages
- Other supporting cells
- Epithelial cells
Describe the epithelial cells in the thymus gland
Have different appearances in different loations within the gland
What do the epithelial cells of the thymus gland form?
A continuous sub-capsular layer and network in the cortex and medulla
What happens to the thymus epithelial cells deep in the medulla?
They are aggregated into Hassall’s corpuscles
Describe the passage of cells through the thymus gland during the process of T cell maturation
Immature T cells enter the cortex and proliferate, mature and pass on to the medulla. From the medulla, mature T lymphocytes enter the circulation
What is the lymphoid system?
An ‘overflow system’
What does the lymphoid system provide?
Drainage of surplus tissue fluid and leaked plasma proteins to the bloodstream, and removal of debris from cellular decomposition and infection
What are lymphatic plexuses?
Networks of lymphatic capillaries that originate blinding in the extracellular spaces of most tissues
What are the lymphatic vessels?
A nearly body-wide network of vessels
Describe the structure of lymphatic vessels
Thin walled, abundant lymphatic valves
Where do lymphatic capillaries and vessels occur?
Almost everywhere blood capillaries are found
Where are lymphatic capillaries are vessels not found?
- Teeth
- Bone
- Bone marrow
- CNS
What are lymph nodes?
Small masses of lymphatic tissue
Where are lymph nodes located?
Along the course of lymphatic vessels



