Spleen

The spleen is a ductless, vertebrate gland that is not necessary for life but is closely associated with the circulatory system, where it functions in the destruction of old red blood cells and removal of other debris from the bloodstream, and also in holding a reservoir of blood. It is regarded as one of the centres of activity of the reticuloendothelial system. Until recently, the purpose of the spleen was not known. It is increasingly recognised that its absence predisposes to certain infections. Spleen - Anatomy. ...

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Read more here: » Spleen: Encyclopedia - Spleen

Spleen: Encyclopedia II - Spleen - Anatomy It is an organ derived from mesenchyme and lying in the mesentery. The organ consists of masses of lymphoid tissue of granular appearance located around fine terminal branches of veins and arteries. These vessels are connected through the splenic pulp by modified capillaries called splenic sinuses. Cross sections of the spleen reveal a red soft surface which is divided into red and white pulp. Red pulp corresponds to the sinuses which are usually filled with blood. The white pulp shows white nodules, called Malpighian corpuscles. Under the microscope, these areas correspond to lymphoid follicles, rich in B-lymphocytes, and the periarteriolar lympho ...

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Spleen: Encyclopedia - Autosplenectomy

An autosplenectomy occurs when a disease damages the spleen to such an extent that it is non-functioning and so equivalent to the spleen having been surgically removed (splenectomy). This may occur in sickle-cell disease and spherocytosis. Absence of effective splenic function (asplenia) is associated with increased risks of overwhelming post splenectomy infection. Other related archivesasplenia, disease, overwhelming post splenectomy infection, sickle-cell disease, spherocytosis, sple

Spleen: Encyclopedia - Asplenia

Asplenia refers to the absence ('a-') of normal spleen function and is associated with some risks. Asplenia may be congenital (congenital asplenia), or acquired through surgery (splenectomy) or through processes that destroy the spleen, generally through its function to filter the blood and therefore referred to as autosplenectomy (eg spherocytosis and sickle-cell disease). Asplenia increases the risk of septicaemia from encapsulated bacteria, and can result in a syndrome known as overwhelming post splenectomy infection (OPSI) ...

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Spleen: Encyclopedia - Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the cavity of the human body (and other animal bodies) that holds the bulk of the viscera and which is located below (or posterior to) the thoracic cavity. Organs of the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, urinary bladder, small intestine and large intestine. The kidneys are located not in the abdominal cavity but behind it. The abdominal cavity is lined with a protective membrane termed the peritoneum. The viscera are also covered, in the front, wi ...

Spleen: Encyclopedia - Bilirubin metabolism

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are broken down in the spleen, liver sinusioids, and bones. The heme components are first converted to biliverdin, then to unconjugated bilirubin. Because unconjugated bilirubin is insoluble, it binds to albumin for transport to the to the liver and then dissociates. The unconjugated bilirubin is then conjugated in the endoplasmic reticulum of the hepatocytes (liver cells). Conjugated bilirubin, or bilirubinglucuronide, moves into the bile canaliculi of the liver and then to the gall bladder. When stimulated by eating, bile (including the ...

Spleen: Encyclopedia - Celiac artery

The celiac artery, also known as the celiac trunk, is the first major branch of the abdominal aorta. It supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, stomach, spleen, duodenum and the pancreas. Shortly after its formation, the celiac artery divides into the: left gastric artery, common hepatic artery and splenic artery. The celiac artery is the only major artery nourishing the abdominal digestive organs that does not have a similarly named vein (i.e. the superior mesenteric a ...

Spleen: Health and Healing Dictionary on Spleen

Spleen: Flattened, oblong organ that removes disease-producing organisms and worn-out red blood cells from the bloodstream. The spleen is situated in the upper left abdominal cavity, in contact with the pancreas, the diaphragm, and the left kidney. The spleen removes iron from the hemoglobin of red blood cells for use in the body. It also removes such waste materials as bile pigments for excretion as bile by the liver. The spleen produces antibodies against various disease organisms and manufactures a variety of blood cells.