Its job is to produce white blood cells, clear the blood of aging red blood cells, and check for pathogens and foreign particles.
Despite having multiple functions, many of which have been revealed in recent times, the spleen is not an essential organ for life; despite this, the dogma that, in the event of removal, other organs or systems (liver and bone marrow in the first place) can completely provide for its functions is no longer considered valid.
The spleen is a lymphoid organ belonging to the immune system. , while they increase during particular cardiovascular or infectious diseases (such as mononucleosis).
Where is the spleen
The spleen resides:
- In the upper left part of the abdomen;
- Inferior and posterior to the diaphragm;
- Behind the 9th, 10th and 11th left ribs;
- In correspondence of the vertebral tract between the 9th thoracic vertebrae (highest point) and the 1st lumbar vertebra (lowest point).
Referring to the subdivision of the human abdomen into regions, the spleen is located in the left hypochondrium.
Reasoning instead on the subdivision of the human abdomen into quadrants, the spleen is located in the upper left quadrant.
For further information: Where is the Spleen: all the detailsBorders of the Spleen
The spleen borders several organs, including:
- The stomach. It is placed in front of the spleen;
- The left lung. It is located in front of and above the spleen;
- The tract of the colon known as the splenic flexure. Compared to the spleen, it lies in an inferior position;
- The left kidney. It is located medial to the spleen;
- The tail of the pancreas. Compared to the spleen, it is in an antero-medial position.
Spleen blood supply
The spleen is a highly vascularized organ.
The supply of oxygenated blood to the spleen belongs to the splenic artery, a branch of the celiac trunk.
In supplying blood to the spleen, the splenic artery is divided into 5 minor branches, which reach all parts of the organ.
The splenic vein, which, together with the mesenteric vein, flows into the hepatic portal system (portal vein) instead deals with the venous drainage of the spleen.
Innervation of the Spleen
The spleen is innervated by the celiac plexus, which is connected to the vagus nerve.
According to some studies, it seems that the control of the functions of the spleen involves the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and the brainstem.
(newly formed red blood cells).The spleen can be considered as a large filter which, unlike the renal one (able to sift ions and small molecules), eliminates harmful or excess cells and macromolecules.
capsulated.
The recent re-evaluation of the important role played by the spleen in the defense of the organism, especially in the pediatric age, has changed the therapeutic approach, which today is mainly oriented towards a conservative treatment.
For further information: Removal of the Spleen: all the consequencesAsplenia and Supernumerary Spleens
Congenital absence of the spleen is a very rare anomaly, while about one in ten people have one or more accessory spleens.
Hypersplenism and Splenomegaly
When this "organ" works too much "and some of its activities are exacerbated, we speak of hypersplenism.
The hypersplenic syndrome manifests itself with anemia, leukopenia (few white blood cells), thrombocytopenia (few platelets) and almost always with splenomegaly (enlargement of the organ).
In the presence of a blood increase, the spleen increases in size (splenomegaly = enlarged spleen) and can hold two liters of blood. This condition can be linked to changes in the internal blood flow (hypotonia of the intrasplenic arterial district) or to obstacles that prevent its exit (as occurs in the case of portal hypertension resulting from liver cirrhosis).
The spleen also appears enlarged in the case of haemolytic diseases, when it accumulates excessive amounts of glucose or lipids (tesaurismosis) or due to neoplastic processes, however rare. Finally, splenomegaly is also typical of some infectious and parasitic diseases (toxoplasmosis, mononucleosis, hepatitis, endocarditis, typhus, syphilis and malaria).
For further information: Splenomegaly or Enlarged SpleenRupture of the Spleen
The most serious complication is the rupture of the spleen, which can occur following a traumatic event but, given the greater susceptibility given by organ distension, it can also arise spontaneously or with minimal trauma (cough, sneeze, vomiting or straining during defecation); manifested by intense pain and hypovolemic shock.If not treated in time, a ruptured spleen can be fatal.
For further information: Transient splenic spleen rupture, linked to the temporary diversion of blood from the spleen to the active muscles. There is therefore a thread of truth in the statements of those who argue that the pain in the spleen is due to its ability to contract to get an extra number of red blood cells into the circulation; however, it should be noted that this function, which is very important for some animals , in humans it is limited by the reduced capacity and contractility of the spleen.
Whatever the "benign" origin of spleen pain perceived during exertion, constant training produces circulatory and metabolic adaptations which, in the vast majority of cases, lead to the complete disappearance of the disorder.
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