What is the function of the Thymus Gland?

The thymus gland, located behind your sternum and between your lungs, is only active until puberty. Before birth and throughout childhood, the thymus is instrumental in the production and maturation of T- lymphocytes or T cells. The thymus plays a vital role in the lymphatic system (your body’s defense network) and endocrine system. Thymosin is the hormone of the thymus, and it stimulates the development of disease-fighting T cells, a specific type of white blood cell that protects the body from certain threats, including viruses and infections. Once you reach puberty, the thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. Function is to contribute to immune functions of the body by producing thymosins. These stimulate production of T-lymphocytes to protect the body.