Ventrolateral view, right side

The thymus gland is part of the lymphatic system.  It is situated cranial and ventral to the heart.  It also functions as an endocrine gland.  It reaches maximum development at puberty and then becomes replaced by connective tissue.  Functionally it is important because it preconditions T-lymphocytes.  It was named for Don Thymus, famous for his radio program �Thymus in the Morning�.