Morphometry and Histogenesis of Human Fetal Thymus in Different Gestational Age Groups

Prabavathy G^*

^*Correspondence: Prabavathy G, Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Medical College & Hospital Affiliated to Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, India, Email:

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Introduction

Thymus grows rapidly during the embryonic life and childhood, reaches its maximum absolute size about the time of puberty. The thymic components play a responsible role in terminal T-cell differentiation and the development and maintenance of cellular immunity. Knowledge of the embryological, histological, and normal morphological features of the thymus is essential for comprehensive understanding of the normal thymus and thymic diseases [1-3]. Hence this study aims in determining the morphological & histological changes of thymus gland at different gestational weeks in foetus and adults.

Methodology

Thirty-three human foetuses (20 males and 13 females) of different age groups ranging from 9th to 38th gestational week were procured. The Location, extent, shape and the external appearance of the Thymus were observed. Dimensions like Length (1), J3readth (b) & thicknessof the glands were measured using the Digital Vernier Caliper. Furthermore, the tissues obtained were processed and observed.

Results

The collected samples are grouped in to three as group I (9-12 weeks), Group II (13-24 weeks) and group III (25-38 weeks) (Figures 1 to Figure 3).

Figure 1. Thymus gland in 20 weeks of foetus showingthe lobulated appearance with an extension from the upper pole of each lobe.

Figure 2. Thymus in a 28-week foetus, showing the elongated extension of the upper pole of the thymus into the root of neck.

Figure 3. Thymus gland in a 36-week foetus.

Histological studies revealed that the gland was seen to be composed of lymphocytes with a delicate capsule (Figure 4). Human Fetal Thymus (16 weeks) showing the Hassall's Corpuscle in medulla (M) (Figure5). Human Fetal Thymus (34 weeks) showing the Blood vessels in septa (Figure 6).

Figure 4. Lymphocytes with a delicate capsule.

Figure 5. Human fetal thymus (16 weeks) showing the hassall's corpuscle in medulla (M).

Figure 6. Human Fetal Thymus (34 weeks) showing the Blood vessels in septa.

Discussion and Conclusion

There were different observations regarding the time at which the lymphocytes were present in the thymus such as from 8 weeks onwards. Additional extension from the upper pole of each lobe was observed in most of the foetus of group II and it was well noted in all cases after 3 weeks. there is an increase in length, breath, and thickness of the gland with the increase in gestational age. In a case of adult thymus, histologically distinct lobules were not seen. Differentiation of cortex and medulla also were not distinct [4-7]. Bell et al. [8] reported that the ratio of cortex to medulla decreased with age. The cortex which occupies 60% of the area of section of thymus, decreased to only 30% at 70 years of age. Whereas in the present study, histologically distinct lobules were not seen in the adult thymus. Differentiation of cortex and medulla was also not distinct. Only spare strands of thymic tissue seen within the fatty thymus.

References

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