Macroscopic study of the adult thymus

Abstract

The dissection of 48 cadaveric specimens has been compared with operative findings for a review of the shape, size and site of this gland in the adult. The structure of the thymic compartment and the relations of the thymus, particularly with the vessels of the superior mediastinum and the base of the neck, were studied. The relative positions of the inferior parathyroid glands and the thymus were identified, with respect to the influence of this topography on the surgery of these glands. The arterial suply to the thymus, which is still very abundant in the adult, presupposes a functional organ whose physiologic involution is slow.

Thymus and aging: morphological, radiological, and functional overview

“…The laterally thymic arteries, asymmetrical and variable in number, usually originate from the internal mammary artery, mainly on the right, and only occasionally from the superior phrenic artery, a branch of the internal mammary artery (Safieddine and Keshavjee 2011). The lateral thymic arteries reach the thymus by traversing the fibrous wall of the thymus sheath originating numerous fine branches (Di Marino et al 1987). Often, the artery arising from the internal thoracic vessel enters the thymic compartment, but it is destined for the pericardium and pericardial fat (Di Marino et al 1987).…”

“…The lateral thymic arteries reach the thymus by traversing the fibrous wall of the thymus sheath originating numerous fine branches (Di Marino et al 1987). Often, the artery arising from the internal thoracic vessel enters the thymic compartment, but it is destined for the pericardium and pericardial fat (Di Marino et al 1987).…”

“…Posterior thymic arteries are rare, but not exceptional; they are direct branches of the brachiocephalic artery and aorta, usually they form an unique branch that split into different branches at the level of both human thymic lobes before entering the capsule (Safieddine and Keshavjee 2011;Di Marino et al 1987).…”

In situ preservation of the inferior parathyroid gland during central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma

“…Type A (close contact) includes A1 (planar attachment), A2 (embedded attachment) and A3 (intrathyroid); type B (non‐close contact) comprises B1 (around the thyroid), B2 (intrathymus) and B3 (blood supply from thymus or mediastinum) Fig. S2 Midline cervicothoracic sagittal section. The thymus, blood vessels within the thyrothymic ligament and the posterior layer of the thyroid sheath are in the same plane, which could be regarded as an anatomical basis of the ‘TBP layer’.1, Thyroid isthmus; 2, superficial layer of cervical fascia; 3, pretracheal cervical fascia; 4, brachiocephalic trunk; 5, pretracheal space; 6, left brachiocephalic vein; 7, sternothyroid muscle; 8, anterior wall of thymic sheath; 9, thyropericardial layer; 10, serous pericardium; 11, anterior interpleural ligament; 12, thymus; 13, subthymic fatty tissue Table S1 Comparison between control and study groups among patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and advanced primary tumours (T3 or T4) or cN1 disease…”

Middle thymothyroid artery arising from the common carotid artery: case report of a rare variation

“…Lym Deep cervical lymph nodes; MThm middle thymic artery; PTH parathyroid gland; RIThA, LIThA right and left inferior thyroid arteries; RIntTh, LIntTh right and left internal thoracic arteries; RCCA, LCCA right and left common carotid arteries; RSA, LSA right and left subclavian arteries; RSThA, LSThA right and left superior thyroid arteries; ThI thyroidea ima artery; 1, 2 branches of the middle division; 1a, 1b terminal branches of 1 Anomalous middle thymothyroid artery 243 (Yamasaki 1989b). However, in some other instances, different nomenclature has been used (Marino et al 1987). Although the CCA is usually not thought to give off any branches (Standring 2005), variations are quite common.…”