Which of the following glands grows to the maximum size at puberty and then diminishes gradually?
a. Thymus
b. Pituitary
c. Thyroid
d. Adrenal

Question

Which of the following glands grows to the maximum size at puberty and then diminishes gradually?
a.  Thymus
b. Pituitary
c. Thyroid
d. Adrenal

anonymous · Answer

thymus

anonymous · Answer

Can you explain your answer please?

anonymous · Answer

the way the question is worded, there's not much to explain further.  the other answers do not fit the criteria of "growing to a maximum size and then diminishing"

anonymous · Answer

Why would it not increase further in size?

anonymous · Answer

The thymus (and anterior mediastinum) will need apoptosis (cell death)  to occur, otherwise it can get too large in children. You will see a thymic shadow on a chest xray in cases where this does not occur.