Superficial to the gland is the sternum. Lying deep to the thymus are the great vessels and the cranial part of the pericardium. The two lobes of the gland differ in size, and in many individuals the right lobe overlaps the left lobe. The thymus is about 5 cm long, 4 cm wide, and 6 mm thick.
View All. Symptoms of emphysema are insidious in nature and may not, at first, be easy to recognize. Emphysema is among a group of lung diseases known as COPD, in which the alveoli of the lungs become damaged, causing them to enlarge and burst. Because the alveoli are where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged, damage to this area makes it difficult for people with emphysema to expel all their air. This causes a build-up of carbon dioxide in the body.
In the early stages of COPD, there may be no symptoms, or you may only have mild symptoms, such as: 1  A nagging cough (often called smoker's cough). 2  Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity. 3  Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe).4  Tightness in the chest.hronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that gradually makes it harder and harder to breathe. COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.