Thymus Development: Difference between revisions
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The mature thymus epithelium has two main cell types: cortical thymic epithelial (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) or stromal cells. These thymic stromal cells provide signals for T cell differentiation. | The mature thymus epithelium has two main cell types: cortical thymic epithelial (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) or stromal cells. These thymic stromal cells provide signals for T cell differentiation. | ||
Links: [http://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/notes/endocrine13.htm original Endocrine Development - Thymus page] | |||
==Development Overview== | ==Development Overview== | ||
Revision as of 18:09, 12 April 2010
Introduction
The thymus has a key role in the development of an effective immune system as well as an endocrine function.
The mature thymus epithelium has two main cell types: cortical thymic epithelial (cTECs) and medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) or stromal cells. These thymic stromal cells provide signals for T cell differentiation.
Links: original Endocrine Development - Thymus page
Development Overview
The thymus and parathyroid are derived from 3rd pharyngeal pouches.
Development is a series of epithelial/mesenchymal inductive interactions between neural crest-derived arch mesenchyme and pouch endoderm. There is also the possibility that the surface ectoderm of 3rd pharyngeal clefts participates in thymus development.
Hassall's bodies form between 6 and 10 lunar months in humans. They appear after lymphopoiesis has been established and the cortex, medulla and the cortico-medullary junction are able to select of T lymphocytes undergoing progressive maturation. (Text modified from Bodey and Kaiser, 1997)
Experimental studies have shown that a neural crest contribution is also required during early thymic organogenesis.
The development of the fetal thymus: an in utero sonographic evaluation. Zalel Y, Gamzu R, Mashiach S, Achiron R. Prenat Diagn. 2002 Feb;22(2):114-7. PMID: 11857615
Glossary Links
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, May 3) Embryology Thymus Development. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Thymus_Development
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G
