Thymus histogenesis
• During downward (caudal) growth lumina are lost.
Epithelium is transformed into solid branching
cords: future thymic lobules
• Densely packed epithelium develops into loose
reticulum into which lymphocytes appear
• 12th week: development of well-defined medulla
and cortex
• Hassall’s corpuscles in medulla: ectodermally
derived (third pharyngeal groove?)