What are the functions of the thymus?

The thymus is a lymphoid gland consisting of two equal sized lobes located behind the sternum, but in front of the heart. It gets its name from the resemblance to the bud of the thyme plant (thymus in Latin). During puberty, the thymus reaches the height of its use. After this age, the size of the thymus decreases as the lymphoid tissue disappears and adipose and fibrous tissue appears. T cells get their name from the thymus because that’s where they are made in the human body. Lymphoid stem cells are delivered to the outer cortex or thymus layer into the blood. After multiplying inside the outer cortex, they then travel to the inner cortex, where they develop T-cell surface markers. The maturation of T cells is directed by thymopoietin, thymosin and other hormones created in the thymus.