thymus

a.

1.

(Anat.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, the thymus gland. Thymus gland a ductless gland in the throat, or in the neighboring region, of nearly all vertebrates. In man and other mammals it is the throat, or neck, sweetbread, which lies in the upper part of the thorax and lower part of the throat. It is largest in fetal and early life, and disappears or becomes rudimentary in the adult. The thymus gland functions as the site of maturation of T-lymphocytes (T-cells), which confer cell-mediated immunity on the host organism; thus, removal or malfunciton of the thymus can lead to absence of cell-mediated immunity, and a consequent loss of resistance to infection.

Noun	1.	Thymus - large genus of Old World mints: thyme Synonyms: genus Thymus
	2.	thymus - a ductless glandular organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes and aids in producing immunity; atrophies with age Synonyms: thymus gland

asterid dicot genus, family Labiatae, family Lamiaceae, genus Thymus, Labiatae, Lamiaceae, mint family, thyme