2023-08-27 06:01:29
Scientific Research Reveals the Importance of the Thymus, Also Known as the “Sweetbread”
When dining out at a fancy restaurant, you may see the name sweetbreads on the menu. But did you know that you also have a thymus in your body? And this organ, according to scientific research, seems to be more important than we have always thought.
What is a sweetbread?
The sweetbread dish contains organ meat, which comes from young mammals, usually veal or lamb. However, this organ also occurs in humans, found near the sternum and the heart. In the 1960s, scientists discovered the purpose of the last unknown organ in the human body. The thymus, most active during childhood, produces immune cells against bacteria and viruses. The body benefits from this until later in life when the thymus shrivels.
What does the sweetbread do?
While the thymus plays a crucial role in childhood, its function in adulthood has been a topic of debate among scientists. Many have assumed that the role of the sweetbreads is over after childhood, and the shriveled organ has no further function.
However, a group of American researchers conducted a study involving over 1,000 participants who had their thymus surgically removed. Five years after their surgery, it was discovered that the risk of cancer and death had increased. Without the thymus, the body produces fewer T cells, which weakens the immune system. This shows that the presence of the thymus is important for health, even in later life. Further research is needed to determine if the organ is not only present but also still active.
What is Thymus Cancer?
The thymus stimulates the immune system and reduces the risk of diseases and disorders. However, a tumor can develop within the organ itself. Thymus cancer, a rare form of cancer, is estimated to occur 60 to 100 times a year. Detecting thymus cancer at an early stage is challenging as the thymus is small and difficult to see.
Symptoms of thymus cancer may include shortness of breath, pneumonia, constant chest pain, excessive coughing, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness. Due to its rarity, not much is known about the causes and cures of thymus cancer.
These findings highlight the significance of the thymus in maintaining a healthy immune system and emphasize the need for further research into its functions. As scientists continue to uncover the mysteries of the human body, the thymus, often portrayed as a culinary delicacy, may become even more revered for its vital role in our overall well-being.
(Source: Culy, Scientias, University Medical Center Groningen, RTL Nieuws, National Geographic, The Harvard Gazette, Thuisarts. Photo: Shutterstock)]
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