The thymus from antiquity to the present day: The history of a mysterious gland

Abstract

The thymus is a lymphatic organ situated in the thorax, known since the 1st century AD. The officinal plant of the same name had been known for several centuries, since the time of the ancient Egyptians who, as it seems, appreciated its therapeutical properties. The name of the gland seems to come from the thyme plant, possibly due to the resemblance - fairly vague, to tell the truth - of the lobes of the gland to the plant leaves (Fig. 1.1). © 2008 Springer Milan.