!Thymus
!!Anatomy
The thymus is a pinkish-gray, __soft gland__ in front of the heart and __behind the breast bone__, with functions in the __((Circulatory - Lymphatic System|immune system))__. It consists of two identical lobes composed of many small lobules - each can be divided into a central medulla and a peripheral cortex, surrounded by an outer capsule. 

The cortex and medulla play different roles in the maturation of T-lymphocytes which enables them to identify cells foreign to the organism. Primary thymocyte development and __positive selection__ takes place in the __cortex__, while the __medulla__ is specialized in __negative selection__, thus avoiding autoimmunity and adding complexity to the immune __recognition, reaction and tolerance__ spectrum.

The thymus __grows between birth and puberty__ and then begins to atrophy due to high levels of circulating sexual hormones. In adults, the organ is primarily replaced with fatty tissue, although, residual __generation of T-lymphocytes__ continues throughout adult life

In terms of the META-view of thymus functions, the maturation of cells contributing to the immune system, or orchestration of homeodynamics, indicates that the thymus is about __development of both identity, self-esteem and tolerance__, especially throughout childhood. As it is derived from several germ layers, we still need more research on it´s specific reactions.

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{img fileId="343" thumb="box"}graphic:[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Illu_thymus.jpg|wikipedia]

!!Brain
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!!!Relay:
1. __Brain Stem__ (+/-) for medulla epithelium
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2. __Cerebral Medulla__ (-/+) for thymocytes
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3. __Cerebral Cortex__ (-/+) for cortical epithelium derived from the neural crest
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!!Mind
!!!Theme:
Individuality, self-esteem, acceptance, need to develop resilience & skills on all levels

!!!Emotions and Thoughts:
*Who am I?
*What is that?
*I don't know that!
*I don't want that!
*How can I accept that?
*I know that this is bad!
Also shame, guilt and resentment

!!!META-Meaning:
*I am a great learner.
*It´s easy to accept, forgive and let go.
*I can choose how I react.
*My curiosity wins!
*I love and accept myself.
*I feel strong inside!
!!Organ

!!!Stress Phase Symptoms:
1. Stress phase of the __brain-stem related tissue__ results in stimulation of allergic reactions (function plus) as an __excessive immunity reaction__, thus being involved in the "__warning mechanism__" of allergic agents = conditioned stress triggers. Possibly hyperplasia in form of __thymoma__, which is seen to be a causing factor of myasthenia gravis, neuromuscular degeneration (stress reaction of muscular tissue for reasons of self-devaluation).
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2. Stress phase of the __cerebral-medulla related tissue__ results in __immune deficiency__ by reduction of thymocytes, e g AIDS

!!!Regeneration Phase Symptoms:
1. Tumor encapsulation or degradation, function normalization.
2. Function and cell reduction is excessively restored. This can lead to thyme lymphomas or lymphatic leukemia (Precursor T acute lymphoblastic leukemia).

!!!Biological Meaning:
1. Enhanced function of alertness reaction serves as warning mechanism for conditions present in previous UDINs, thus trying to avoid similar threatening situations.
2. Reinforcement under regeneration is meant to serve strengthening of identity and resilience.

!!Social:
!!!Examples:
*A woman strongly reacts to insect bites (histamin reaction) until discovering the UDIN as root cause, and finding a calmer relationship with insects.

*A man who needs to feed his family in a foreign country, is turned down over and over in his search for work. He experiences a conflict with his identity which is not accepted, and develops a thymoma.

*AIDS is in western societies typically found in homosexual people who, especially at younger age, often show identity, self-questioning and self-hate conflicts, and still have a less accepted position in society.

!!Additional Information
Thymocytes are derived from hematopoietic stem cells from the bone marrow. This emphasizes the connection to identity and self-worth.

!!!Differential Diagnosis:
__((Respiratory - Larynx Mucosa |Larynx Mucosa)) or ((Respiratory - Bronchial Mucosa and Muscle|Bronchial Mucosa)) __(Cerebral Cortex -/+): A thymoma can lead to strong cough when pressing on the recurring laryngeal nerve. This symptom is usually present in regeneration phase of these respiratory tissues.

__((Circulatory - Spleen|Spleen))__ (Cerebral Medulla, -/+) Lymphatic tissue, with storage of blood & lymphocytes. In regeneration phase of a conflict related to blood & healing, lymphatic leukemia could occur.

__((Circulatory - Lymph-Nodes |Lymph nodes))__ (Cerebral Medulla, -/+) can produce lymphoma in regeneration phase of self-devaluation conflicts.

__((Musculoskeletal - Bones|Bone)) marrow __(Cerebral Medulla, -/+) can produce leukemia in regeneration phase of self-devaluation conflicts.

"Autoimmunity diseases" often are __chronic recurring processes__ in different tissues and their respective themes. The thymus can be involved simultaneously.


 
