The thymic cortex is the dark outer zone of each thymic lobule, densely packed with developing T cells (thymocytes). Here young T cells learn to recognise the body own molecules.
| Location | Outer part of each lobule of the thymus, in the anterior superior mediastinum |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Vagus nerve; Cervicothoracic sympathetic chain |
| Blood Supply | Internal thoracic artery branches; Inferior thyroid artery branches |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Supports early T cell development and positive selection, keeping only T cells that can recognise self-MHC molecules.
Most developing T cells die here by apoptosis. The cortex shrinks with stress and steroid treatment. T-lymphoblastic lymphoma may arise from cortical thymocytes and present as a mediastinal mass.
Stress, illness or steroids causing rapid shrinkage of the cortex.
An aggressive lymphoma of immature T cells, often with a large anterior mediastinal mass.
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