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8. Functions

Perhaps the most important function of the thymus is its facilitation of T cell maturation. T cells start as hematopoietic precursors in the bone marrow, and they migrate to the thymus, where they are called “thymocytes.” In the thymus, the thymocytes mature and then travel to other parts of the body to help the immune system. The blood-thymus barrier provides a safe environment for T cell development by protecting against dangerous antigens that would destroy immature T cells.

t cell activity immune system Design Cells / Getty Images

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