thymus

noun thy·mus \ˈthī-məs\

plural thy·mus·es also thy·mi \-ˌmī\

Definition of THYMUS

: a glandular structure of largely lymphoid tissue that functions especially in the development of the body's immune system, is present in the young of most vertebrates typically in the upper anterior chest or at the base of the neck, and tends to atrophy in the adult

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Origin of THYMUS

New Latin, from Greek thymos warty excrescence, thymus

First Known Use: 1578

Rhymes with THYMUS

primus, timeous

Medical Dictionary

thymus

noun thy·mus \ˈthī-məs\

plural thy·mus·es also thy·mi \-ˌmī\

Medical Definition of THYMUS

: a glandular structure of largely lymphoid tissue that functions in cell-mediated immunity by being the site where T cells develop, that is present in the young of most vertebrates typically in the upper anterior chest or at the base of the neck, that arises from the epithelium of one or more embryonic branchial clefts, and that tends to disappear or become rudimentary in the adult—called also thymus gland