what is the function of spleen

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Your spleen:

• Stores blood.
• Filters blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged blood cells.
• Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you fight infection.
• Maintains the levels of fluid in your body.
• Produces antibodies that protect you against infection.

What does spleen do for your body?

The spleen is not a vital organ, meaning that you can live without it. But it does play several very important roles in the body. It is not surprising that many people are caught “off guard” when told that there is a problem with the spleen as the symptoms are often vague.

Does the spleen have a vital function?

What does the spleen do?

• Blood filter: The spleen's main function is to act as a filter for the blood. ...
• Defence system: The spleen also plays an important part in the body’s immune system. ...
• Economical function: The spleen recycles the useful components like iron from the old cells. ...
• Reserve system: The spleen is a backup for storing blood. ...

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What does the spleen actually do?

You can live perfectly fine without a spleen, but without a spleen you are at high risk of contracting serious, sometimes life-threatening, infections, as one job of the spleen is to help identify and destroy bacteria.

How long can a person live without a spleen?

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What are the 3 main functions of the spleen?

The spleen has some important functions: it fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells) it controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells.

Can you live without your spleen?

Life without a spleen You can be active without a spleen, but you're at increased risk of becoming sick or getting serious infections. This risk is highest shortly after surgery. People without a spleen may also have a harder time recovering from an illness or injury.

What happens if your spleen is removed?

​Your spleen is important for your body's defence against germs, when your spleen is removed or doesn't work properly you are at higher risk of infection. This is very important as, although these infections do not happen very often, they can be life-threatening.

What are the 5 functions of the spleen?

What does the spleen do?Stores blood.Filters blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged blood cells.Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you fight infection.Maintains the levels of fluid in your body.Produces antibodies that protect you against infection.

What are 3 diseases that affect the spleen?

Blood cancers, such as leukemia and myeloproliferative neoplasms, and lymphomas, such as Hodgkin's disease. Metabolic disorders, such as Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick disease. Pressure on the veins in the spleen or liver or a blood clot in these veins. Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or sarcoidosis.

Can a spleen grow back?

Unlike some other organs, like the liver, the spleen does not grow back (regenerate) after it is removed. Up to 30% of people have a second spleen (called an accessory spleen). These are usually very small, but may grow and function when the main spleen is removed.

What organ takes over after spleen removal?

Living without a spleen. If your spleen needs to be removed, other organs such as the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. This means you will still be able to cope with most infections. However, there is a small risk that a serious infection may develop quickly.

How can I heal my spleen naturally?

The best way to support your spleen and entire lymphatic and digestive systems is to eat a diet high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fluids. This helps lower inflammation and fight free radical damage that can make an enlarged spleen turn into a worsened problem.

What can you eat without a spleen?

It's common to feel full quickly after having this surgery. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. Your doctor may tell you to take iron supplements. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated.

Do you need your spleen?

You do not need your spleen to live a normal, healthy life. However, since the spleen performs some important tasks, people who do not have one are urged to take certain precautions.

Why would my spleen hurt?

Some common causes of spleen pain include infections such as mono or pneumonia, autoimmune conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders such as diabetes, or liver diseases such as hepatitis.

What causes your spleen to enlarge?

An enlarged spleen can be caused by infections, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, blood diseases characterized by abnormal blood cells, problems with the lymph system, or other conditions. Other causes of an enlarged spleen include: Inflammatory diseases such as sarcoidosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

How many years a person can live without spleen?

Of the 105 splenectomy patients (58 were male), the median age was 54 years (range: 10–87 years) and the median survival was 80 months.

What organ takes over after spleen removal?

Living without a spleen. If your spleen needs to be removed, other organs such as the liver can take over many of the spleen's functions. This means you will still be able to cope with most infections. However, there is a small risk that a serious infection may develop quickly.

What organs can you live without?

You can still have a fairly normal life without one of your lungs, a kidney, your spleen, appendix, gall bladder, adenoids, tonsils, plus some of your lymph nodes, the fibula bones from each leg and six of your ribs.

Can you drink alcohol after spleen removal?

Do not drive or drink alcohol for 24 hours after your surgery.

What is the spleen?

The spleen is an organ containing blood vessels and lymph nodes. It serves important immune functions. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, behind the stomach and under the diaphragm. It is a soft, purple, vascular organ, shaped like a small smooth rounded catcher's mitt with notches on the upper front edge.

How big is a spleen?

The size and weight of the spleen can vary. The average healthy adult's spleen measures about five inches long, three inches wide , and one and a half inches thick, and a healthy spleen weighs about six ounces.

Which part of the body is responsible for the circulation of healthy blood cells?

Healthy blood cells pass through the spleen and circulate throughout the bloodstream

Can A Person Live Without A Spleen?

The spleen is a useful organ, but it is not vital . A person may need a spleen removed if it becomes injured or cancerous. If this occurs, other parts of the body, including the lymph nodes and liver, can take over many of the spleen's functions. However, people without spleens are more vulnerable to infections.

Why is the spleen important?

Unlike organs that are noticed every day, such as the skin, most people never think about the spleen unless it becomes damaged by trauma. While the spleen is not as well known as other organs, it performs multiple important functions. The spleen participates in the creation of blood cells and also helps to filter out the blood, ...

Why is it important to remove the spleen after surgery?

While the spleen is a little-known organ, it often becomes the cause of significant worry and excitement after a car accident or other incident that leads to bleeding. In these cases, it is customary to remove the spleen, so the loss of blood can be stopped. For many, aside from being advised to have more vaccines than other individuals might, the end of the recovery from surgery is the last time they are concerned about their spleen.

What organs are involved in the fight against infection?

While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. It is this overlap in duties makes it possible for the spleen to be removed without causing lasting harm to the individual.

What happens when your spleen expands?

As a spleen becomes enlarged, it becomes more fragile and is more likely to be damaged in an accident.

What is the procedure to remove the spleen?

In some cases, when there is no other option, a splenectomy, the surgical procedure to remove the spleen, is performed. The spleen can also become enlarged, stretching over time, until it becomes unable to function. It can expand over time from normal size (which is approximately the size of a small chicken breast) to the size ...

Can you have a fever without a spleen?

It is important that a person without a spleen not ignore early signs of infection, such as a fever, as the body is more likely to require antibiotics to fight infection effectively. In general, the person without a spleen will go on to have a healthy life. That said, an individual without a spleen will always have a greater risk ...

Is it possible to live without a spleen?

While most people are somewhat healthier with a spleen, it is absolutely possible to have a normal life without a spleen. So the spleen is important but it isn't essential.

What Is the Purpose of a Spleen?

As you've seen, your spleen is often on the "front lines" of your body; in fact, your spleen is a busy organ – especially considering its small size.

Why is the spleen important?

Your spleen also plays an important part in your immune system, which helps your body fight infection. Just as it detects faulty red blood cells, your spleen can pick out any unwelcome micro-organisms (like bacteria or viruses) in your blood.

Why is the spleen used as a synonym for anger?

This is because in medieval times, the spleen was thought to be the literal, physical source of a hot temper. People thought that "venting" their spleens would remove excess anger.

Why do people use the word "venting spleen"?

Although most people have spleens, we don't often think about the way they function as organs in our bodies. You may have heard people use the phrase "venting spleen" – not referring to the body part itself, but as a way to describe letting out anger or frustration. The word "spleen" has come to be used metaphorically as a synonym for "anger". This is because in medieval times, the spleen was thought to be the literal, physical source of a hot temper. People thought that "venting" their spleens would remove excess anger. Fortunately, we have learned a lot since then about the spleen's purpose in our bodies.

What is the function of macrophages in the spleen?

Macrophages are large white blood cells that specialize in destroying these unhealthy red blood cells. Always economical, your spleen saves any useful components from the old cells, such as iron.

Why does the spleen balloon?

This is because your spleen is highly vascular organ; it contains many vessels that carry and circulate fluids in your body.

How does the spleen hold up to blood?

When vessels are expanded, your spleen can actually hold up to a cup of reserve blood. If for any reason you need some extra blood – for example, if trauma causes you to lose blood – your spleen can respond by releasing that reserve blood back into your system.

Why is the spleen important?

Your spleen is a small but important organ. It works hard to fight infection, remove old or damaged blood cells and keep fluids moving through your body. Many disorders, infections, injuries and diseases can cause problems in the spleen.

What is the spleen?

The spleen is a small organ inside your left rib cage, just above the stomach. It’s part of the lymphatic system (which is part of the immune system). The spleen stores and filters blood and makes white blood cells that protect you from infection. Many diseases and conditions can affect how the spleen works. A ruptured (torn) spleen can be fatal.

Why does my spleen feel so big?

Splenomegaly is a dangerous condition because the spleen can rupture (tear) or bleed.

Why is splenomegaly dangerous?

Splenomegaly is a dangerous condition because the spleen can rupture (tear) or bleed. The spleen can become enlarged from: Blood cancers, such as leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cancer in other parts of the body that metastasize (spread) to the spleen. Blood clots in the spleen or the liver.

Why do they remove the spleen?

Sometimes, healthcare providers perform surgery to remove the spleen (splenectomy) because it’s damaged or diseased. Without the spleen, the liver takes over many of the spleen’s duties. Splenectomy is also a treatment for different types of thrombocytopenia, including immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

What are the two parts of the spleen?

There are two parts of the spleen. They each do different jobs. The types of tissue in the spleen are: White pulp: As part of the immune system, the white pulp produces white blood cells. These blood cells make antibodies. Antibodies fight infection. Red pulp: The red pulp acts like a filter.

What happens when your spleen doesn't work?

Protein disorders like amyloidosis. Functional asplenia: This condition happens when your spleen doesn’t work as it should. It may overreact (hypersplenism) and destroy healthy red blood cells. Destroying too many blood cells can increase the risk of infection and lead to bruising and bleeding.

What is the function of the spleen?

The functions of the spleen are listed below. The important function of the spleen is to filter the blood. The spleen recycles the old and damaged red blood cells and the white blood cells are stored. It also helps to fight against bacteria that cause diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia.

Which organ is the largest organ in the lymphatic system?

The spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system. It keeps all the body fluids balanced. It is made up of a red pulp tissue that filters the old and damaged red blood cells, whereas, the white pulp tissue that consists of the B and T cells that help to fight infections.

What is the spleen?

Anatomy. The spleen is a purple, fist-sized organ. It is wrapped by a fibroelastic capsule which allows the spleen to significantly increase its size when necessary. The spleen is an intraperitoneal organ, so all of its surfaces are covered with visceral peritoneum.

Why is the spleen removed?

The reasons for removing the spleen include: extensive splenomegaly. rupture of the spleen. severe infection.

What is the microscopic anatomy of the spleen?

Understanding the microscopic anatomy of the spleen is important for understanding its function. Numerous septa called trabeculae extend from the dense irregular fibroelastic connective tissue of the capsule into the parenchyma of the spleen. Both the capsule and trabeculae contain myoepithelial cells which have the ability to contract. As the spleen stores a significant amount of blood, the contraction of myoepithelial cells pumps stored blood into the circulatory system when the body is in need; for example during intense physical activity or massive hemorrhage.

What is the medial surface of the spleen?

Medial surface of the spleen shows three areas of impression. The colic area is the impression of the left colic flexure, the gastric area is the impression of the stomach, and the renal area is the impression of the left kidney. The splenic hilum is found in the central part of this surface.

What is the parenchyma of the spleen?

The parenchyma of the spleen is called pulp. Based on the color of the pulp on fresh sections, white and red pulp can be distinguished. White pulp is the main lymphoid tissue of the spleen. It is the accumulation of lymphocytes around an arterial vessel. This aggregation of lymphocytes constitutes the lymphoid tissue known as periarterial lymphoidsheath ( PALS) and it is the first to react if microbes reach the spleen through the bloodstream. The central arterial vessels in PALS nodules are branches of the splenic artery. Red pulp consists of splenic venous sinuses and cords (of Billroth), linings of splenic macrophages around the sinuses. The central artery of PALS continues from the white pulp and enters the red pulp as a capillary. These capillaries empty into the splenic cords, where macrophages phagocyte old and damaged erythrocytes. From there, blood diffuses into the splenic sinuses, thus returning to the venous circulation.

How many borders does the spleen have?

The spleen has three borders (superior, inferior, and anterior) as well as two extremities (anterior and posterior). The superior border bounds the gastric area, the inferior border bounds the renal area and the anterior border bounds the colic area.

Where does the arterial supply of the spleen come from?

The arterial supply of the spleen comes from the tortuous splenic artery, which reaches the spleen as it travels through the splenorenal ligament. This artery emerges from the celiac trunk, which is a branch of the abdominal aorta .

Where is the spleen located?

The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged.

How is the spleen removed?

The dye moves throughout the body and is collected in both of these organs. Spleen Treatments. Splenectomy: The spleen is removed by surgery, either through laparoscopy (multiple small incisions) or laparotomy (one large incision).

What is the term for an enlarged spleen that stores excessive numbers of platelets?

Thrombocytopenia( low platelet count): An enlarged spleen sometimes stores excessive numbers of the body’s platelets. Splenomegaly can result in abnormally few platelets circulating in the bloodstream where they belong.

What is the name of the condition where the spleen stores excessive platelets?

Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count): An enlarged spleen sometimes stores excessive numbers of the body’s platelets. Splenomegaly can result in abnormally few platelets circulating in the bloodstream where they belong. Accessory spleen: About 10% of people have a small extra spleen.

What organs are dyed in?

Liver and spleen scan:  A small amount of radioactive dye is injected into the arm.   The dye moves throughout the body and is collected in both of these organs.

What causes a spleen to be enlarged?

Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly): An enlarged spleen, usually caused by viral mononucleosis (“mono”), liver disease, blood cancers (lymphoma and leukemia), or other conditions. Ruptured spleen: The spleen is vulnerable to injury, and a ruptured spleen can cause serious life-threatening internal bleeding and is a life-threatening emergency.

Why can't you feel the spleen?

Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there.

What Is the Spleen?

The dog’s spleen is an elongated organ located in the abdomen. Though not essential for life, the spleen performs important functions related to the blood and lymph systems. The spleen filters the blood and participates in various immune functions.

What is the spleen covered by?

It is covered by a tough capsule of fibrous tissue. Bblood vessels enter and exit the spleen at one end, which is called the “pedicle.”. The size of the spleen varies, and it can become engorged with blood under some circumstances. The internal structure of the spleen consists of:

Where Is the Spleen Located in Dogs?

The spleen is located near the stomach in the left forward part of the abdomen. The exact location of the spleen depends upon its size and shape and is affected by the size of the surrounding organs, such as the fullness of the stomach.

What Are Common Diseases of the Spleen in Dogs?

As a general rule, dogs are prone to enlargement, tumors and other growths of the spleen. Some common diseases of the spleen are:

What Types of Diagnostic Tests Are Used to Evaluate the Spleen?

Several tests are particularly helpful in evaluating the spleen. These include

What diseases can be caused by a spleen?

Some common diseases of the spleen are: Generalized enlargement of the spleen associated with immune system disorders, certain anemias, massive production of red blood cells, and certain infections, following administration of some drugs. Development of a hematoma (collection of blood) or blood clots from trauma, bleeding disorders, ...

What is the internal structure of the spleen?

The internal structure of the spleen consists of: Red pulp – areas for red blood cell formation and storage and for the trapping of immune proteins called antigens. White pulp – areas of special immune response cells called lymphocytes and reticuloendothelial cells.

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• The spleen works with other organs in the body to complete the tasks of blood storage, fighting infection and filtering the blood. While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. As the spleen is not the only organ ...

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