The thymic medulla is the pale central zone of each thymic lobule. It contains fewer, more mature T cells, epithelial cells that display body proteins, and thymic corpuscles.
| Location | Centre of each thymic lobule; medullary tissue is continuous between lobules |
|---|---|
| Secretes |
|
| Nerve Supply | Vagus nerve; Cervicothoracic sympathetic chain |
| Blood Supply | Internal thoracic artery branches; Inferior thyroid artery branches |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Removes T cells that react strongly against the body own tissues (negative selection) and forms regulatory T cells.
Failure of this process, as in the AIRE gene defect, causes widespread autoimmunity (APECED). Thymomas arise from thymic epithelium and are linked to myasthenia gravis.
Inherited AIRE defect causing multiple autoimmune diseases.
A tumour of thymic epithelial cells, often associated with myasthenia gravis.
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