1Department of Anatomy, Ras Al Khaimah College of Medical Sciences, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
2Division of Anatomy, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
3Department of Pathology, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal Campus, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
4Division of Anatomy, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
5Division of Anatomy, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
*Corresponding Author : Dr. Ashwini Aithal P, Division of Anatomy, Department of Basic Medical SciencesManipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India, Contact: Email: ashwini.anat@gmail.com
Online Published on 28 July, 2023.
The thymus is a lobulated lymphoid organ that enlarges shortly after birth and remains physiologically active until puberty. The parenchyma replacement by fatty tissue accompanies its involution. We report, herein, the presence of a large persistent thymus, with the predominant soft-tissue attenuation, found in an elderly male cadaver. The gross dimensions of the gland were: right lobe: 11.5 × 1.8 cm, left lobe: 10 cm × 1.8 cm, linked by the isthmus. Part of the thymic tissue was processed for microscopic examination. Histological features revealed the signs of gradual regression and degeneration of thymic tissue with soft-tissue accentuation. The cellular portion of the gland was being replaced by loose connective tissue and adipose cells. The persistence of the thymus in adults is often challenging in surgical and diagnostic approaches. It might mislead the differential diagnosis of mediastinal mass or result in unnecessary surgical interventions.
Adipose Tissue, Immunity, Lymphocytes, Thymus Gland
