The human thymus contains a novel population of B lymphocytes.
A study of thymus glands from fetuses, newborn babies, children, and adults has shown a prominent intramedullary B-cell population. These cells have a distinctive phenotype, show evidence of activation, and specifically cluster around Hassall's corpuscles. The thymus can no longer be regarded as an organ exclusively concerned with T-cell function.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*