title: The thymus: from past misconception to present recognition.
abstract: The critical role of the thymus in the development of the immune system was unknown until recently. For a long time physicians were puzzled by the presence of a large thymus in early life and attributed many symptoms to it. This review briefly covers the history of the thymus and its function as a primary lymphoid organ, along with a short background of the development of the immune system. Thymic diseases and their imaging features are also reviewed briefly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Schneider Children's Hospital, 270-05 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park, NY 10040, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Leonidas
mesh_terms: D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000266:history; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed