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IJAR.2019.348

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Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 8; Issue 1.1 (January 2020)

Page No.: 7241-7246

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2019.348

HISTOGENESIS OF HUMAN FOETAL THYMUS

Vaishali Sitaram Kirwale 1, Shankar S. Dhapate *2.

1 Assistant Professor,Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College , Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.

*2 Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, S.R.T.R Medical College,  Ambajogai , Beed, Maharashtra, India.

Corresponding Athor: Dr. Shankar S.  Dhapate  , Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, S.R.T.R Medical College Ambajogai, Beed, Maharashtra, India. E-Mail:  anasrtr@rediffmail.com

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ. It is a bilobed structure divided into lobules by the connective tissue septa. Each lobule consists of a cortex and medulla. Most of the studies regarding early foetal histology of this organ are animal based. The present study has been undertaken to highlight some features regarding histogenesis of human foetal thymus.

Materials and Methods: In the present study, 30 normal human stillborn/aborted foetuses were studied. The obtained foetuses were fixed in 10% formalin. After proper fixation they were subjected to dissection. The obtained specimens were processed by standard paraffin block making procedure. Sections were taken and stained with haematoxylin & eosin. The stained sections were examined under light microscopy using 10x and 40x optical magnifications and photographs taken.

Results: At 12th week, capsule was thin and cortico-medullary differentiation not much prominent. Epithelial cells and lymphocytes were present. Hassall’s corpuscles were very small and immature. Distinct lobulation was seen at 18th week with well differentiated cortex and medulla. The gland became more distinct from 21stweek onwards with increased number of Hassall’s corpuscles of various types. 29 week onwards the thymus gland revealed an adult histological picture.

Conclusion: All structural changes viz cortico-medullary differentiation, lobulation and maturity of Hassall’s corpuscles occurred within the first 18 weeks of gestation.

KEY WORDS: Thymus, Hassall’s corpuscle.

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Cite this article: Vaishali Sitaram Kirwale, Shankar S. Dhapate. HISTOGENESIS OF HUMAN FOETAL THYMUS. Int J Anat Res 2020;8(1.1):7241-7246. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2019.348