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Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.

6 min

Which gland degenerates after puberty? The thymus gland's gradual decline explained

The thymus is a crucial organ for immune system development during childhood, but it is also the gland that undergoes significant degeneration, or involution, after puberty. Following adolescence, the thymus progressively shrinks and is replaced by fatty tissue, with its function of producing new T-cells dramatically reduced. This normal physiological process, known as thymic involution, has been long observed and studied for its effects on aging and immunity.

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4 min

Which gland atrophies with advancing age?: A detailed look at the thymus and others

By middle age, the size of the thymus gland has shrunk to less than 10% of its maximum weight in early childhood. This process, known as thymic involution, is a natural part of growing older and is the most prominent example of a gland that atrophies with advancing age. The gradual decline of this vital immune organ has significant consequences for the body's ability to fight off infections and diseases.

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5 min

What Causes Thymic Involution? The Triggers Behind Thymic Shrinkage

The thymus begins to undergo a progressive reduction in size and function, a process called thymic involution, as early as the first year after birth in humans. This phenomenon is a natural, conserved process in most vertebrates, but its underlying causes are complex and varied, involving factors from normal aging to severe illness and nutritional deficiencies.

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