CORRADO LAVINI • CESAR A. MORAN • ULIANO MORANDI •
RUDOLF SCHOENHUBER (Eds)

2008

Clinical, Diagnostic,
and Therapeutic Features

The thymus is a gland that over the last two centuries has generated great awareness not only from the anatomical perspective but also for the physiological and pathological roles it plays in many disease processes. Prior to the early studies on its anatomy and physiology in the 18th century, the thymus was believed to perform unusual and curious functions such as purification of the nervous system, providing a protective cushion for the vasculature of the superior mediastinum, fetal nourishment, or more spiritual roles such as being the seat of the soul, among others.