File:Fetal thymus.jpg: Difference between revisions

Fetal Thymus

Thymus lymphoid tissue, overview 20th week of gestation.

• thymus is enclosed by a thin connective tissue capsule
• numerous septa extend into the thymus subdividing the two lobes
• two lobes divided into into numerous lobules (about 0.5 -2 mm in diameter).
• Blood vessels enter and leave the thymus via the connective tissue septa.
• Each lobulus is divided into
  • Fetal Thymus Cortex - a darker peripheral zone.
  • Fetal Thymus Medulla - a lighter central zone.
• Medullary tissue is continuous from lobule to lobule throughout each lobe.

Compare this structure with the Adult Thymus.

Thymus Histology: Fetal Thymus overview | Fetal Thymus Medulla | Fetal Thymus Cortex | Adult Thymus | unlabeled fetal overview | unlabeled fetal medulla |unlabeled fetal thymic corpuscle |unlabeled fetal cortex | unlabeled adult overview | Category:Thymus | Immune System Development

Links: Histology | Histology Stains | Blue Histology images copyright Lutz Slomianka 1998-2009. The literary and artistic works on the original Blue Histology website may be reproduced, adapted, published and distributed for non-commercial purposes. See also the page Histology Stains.

Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2026, October 25) Embryology Fetal thymus.jpg. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/File:Fetal_thymus.jpg

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© Dr Mark Hill 2026, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G