thymus gland

1. A gland located behind the breastbone that functions in the development of the immune system . The thymus is large in infancy and early childhood but begins to atrophy between ages eight and ten.

Example Sentences

The thymus gland attains a considerable development in the embryo and shrinks away to the merest vestige in the adult.

From Project Gutenberg

It is nearly always accompanied by a distinct hypertrophy of the thymus gland.

From Project Gutenberg

The thymus gland, which lies near the heart and is often called the heart sweetbread, is the best one.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the four basic components on the right, thymine occurs in the nucleic acid from the thymus gland.

From Project Gutenberg

After respiration they expand and occupy the whole thorax, and closely surround the heart and thymus gland.

From Project Gutenberg