Csecsemmirigy

Csecsemmirigy is the Hungarian term for the thymus gland, commonly written csecsemőmirigy in standard medical Hungarian. In English-language medical literature, this organ is called the thymus. The name reflects its prominence in infancy, when the gland is relatively large and active.

Anatomy and development: The thymus is located in the anterior superior mediastinum. At birth it is relatively large and continues to grow during childhood, reaching its maximum size during puberty before gradually involuting and being replaced by fat in adulthood. Histologically, it consists of a cortex rich in developing T cells and a medulla with fewer cells and specialized structures, such as Hassall’s corpuscles.

Function: The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ essential for T cell development. Immature thymocytes migrate into the thymus, where they undergo positive and negative selection to become functional, self-tolerant T cells. The gland also produces thymic hormones, which influence lymphocyte maturation and immune system regulation.

Clinical notes: The thymus can be visualized on chest imaging, where its silhouette may be described as a thymic shadow in children. Thymic hyperplasia and thymic cysts are potential benign conditions, while thymomas and thymic carcinomas are rare in children but can occur in adults. Congenital absence or dysfunction of the thymus (as in DiGeorge syndrome) can lead to severe immunodeficiency due to a lack of mature T cells.

In summary, csecsemmirigy refers to the thymus, a key infant-related gland involved in the maturation of T lymphocytes and immune system development.