The Shrinking Organ: Understanding the Growth of a Gland
The Unique Growth Process of a Specific Organ
While most organs will grow until maturity (when you stop getting taller), the thymus will get bigger throughout childhood, but it will slowly shrink from once an individual reaches puberty and will continue to shrink throughout adulthood. As this gland shrinks, its tissues are replaced by tissues that are stored in fat cells (called adipose tissue). The reason it shrinks is because the thyroid has a reduced role during adulthood.