The thymus and the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.
1996
A I Levinson, and
L M Wheatley
Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, 19104, USA.
UI
MeSH Term
Description
Entries
D009157
Myasthenia Gravis
A disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by fatigable weakness of cranial and skeletal muscles with elevated titers of ACETYLCHOLINE RECEPTORS or muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK) autoantibodies. Clinical manifestations may include ocular muscle weakness (fluctuating, asymmetric, external ophthalmoplegia; diplopia; ptosis; and weakness of eye closure) and extraocular fatigable weakness of facial, bulbar, respiratory, and proximal limb muscles. The disease may remain limited to the ocular muscles (ocular myasthenia). THYMOMA is commonly associated with this condition.
Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013950
Thymus Gland
A single, unpaired primary lymphoid organ situated in the MEDIASTINUM, extending superiorly into the neck to the lower edge of the THYROID GLAND and inferiorly to the fourth costal cartilage. It is necessary for normal development of immunologic function early in life. By puberty, it begins to involute and much of the tissue is replaced by fat.