What is hassals corpuscle?

Hassal's corpuscle is a single, small, spherical structure found in the thymus gland. It is also called the thymic corpuscle or corpusculum thymicum. Hassal's corpuscles are composed of a concentrically arranged network of epithelial cells that form a central core, surrounded by a lamella-like envelope. Each corpuscle is made up of several layers of flattened epithelial cells that are arranged in a spiral pattern around a central core of keratinized cells.

Hassal's corpuscle is believed to play a role in the maturation of T-lymphocytes, which are involved in the immune system's responses. However, the exact function of this structure is not fully understood yet. The number and size of Hassal's corpuscles increase as age advances, and they tend to become more evident in older individuals.

The discovery of Hassal's corpuscle is attributed to the German anatomist Arthur Hassal, who first described it in 1849. Since then, the corpuscle has been the subject of many studies, and its structure and function have been extensively investigated. Additionally, researchers are interested in studying Hassal's corpuscles as a potential diagnostic marker for thymic tumors or as an indicator of the thymus's overall health.