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What is medical term spleen?
(spleen) An organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells. It is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.
Is the word root for splen o spleen?
It's often used in medical terms, especially in anatomy and pathology. Splen- comes from the Greek splḗn, meaning “spleen.” Splen- is a variant of spleno-, which loses its -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.
What is another word for spleen?
Some common synonyms of spleen are grudge, ill will, malevolence, malice, malignity, and spite. While all these words mean "the desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress," spleen suggests the wrathful release of latent spite or persistent malice.
Does ire mean spleen?
OTHER WORDS FOR spleen 3 petulance, rancor, acrimoniousness; wrath, ire, anger.
What is the suffix for spleen?
The meaning of many surgical procedure names can often be understood if the name is broken into parts. For example in splenectomy, "ectomy" is a suffix meaning the removal of a part of the body. "Splene-" means spleen. Thus, splenectomy refers to the surgical removal of the spleen (or sections thereof).
What is a word root in medical terminology?
The root or stem of a medical term usually has been derived from a Greek or Latin noun or verb. This root expresses the basic meaning of the term. However, often that meaning will be modified by the addition of a prefix (at the beginning of the word) or the addition of a suffix (at the end of the word).
Does peevishness mean spleen?
Peevishness synonyms The spleen is an organ near the stomach that has various roles in purifying and storing the blood, or a bad temper. The state of being pettish; peevishness. [from 17th c.]
Is spleen a gland?
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.
Does spleen mean pique?
noun spite, anger, bitterness, hostility, hatred, resentment, wrath, gall, malice, animosity, venom, bile, bad temper, acrimony, pique, rancour, ill will, animus, malevolence, vindictiveness, malignity, spitefulness, ill humour, peevishness There were other targets for his spleen.
Where does the word ire come from?
From Middle English ire, from Old French ire (“ire”), from Latin īra (“wrath, rage”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁eysh₂- (“to fall upon, act sharply”) (compare Old English ofost (“haste, zeal”), Old Norse eisa (“to race forward”), Ancient Greek ἱερός (hierós, “supernatural, holy”), οἶστρος (oîstros, “frenzy; gadfly”), ...
Is Pleen a word?
PLEEN is not a valid scrabble word.
Is the spleen yin or yang?
As a zàng, the Spleen is considered to be a yin organ. Its associated yang organ is the Stomach.
What is the root word for stomach?
1st Root Word: gastr/o. 1st Root Definition: stomach. 2nd Root Word: enter/o. 2nd Root Word Definition: intestines (usually small intestines) Suffix: -itis.
What does lymph O mean in medical terms?
What does lympho- mean? Lympho- is a combining form used like a prefix indicating lymph, an important liquid in the body that contains white blood cells and is conveyed to the bloodstream through lymphatic vessels. Lympho- is used in many medical terms, especially in anatomy and pathology.
What is the meaning of Electr?
Definition of electr- 1a : electricity electrometer. b : electric electrode : electric and electrochemical : electrically electropositive.
What word part means skin?
dermIntegumentary Specific Suffixes and PrefixesTermDefinition-dermskinDermat, dermaskinEpi-on or uponEpiderm-, epidermo-epidermis14 more rows
Where is the spleen located?
Anatomy. The spleen is underneath the left part of the diaphragm, and has a smooth, convex surface that faces the diaphragm. It is underneath the ninth, tenth, and eleventh ribs. The other side of the spleen is divided by a ridge into two regions: an anterior gastric portion, and a posterior renal portion.
How big is the spleen?
The spleen, in healthy adult humans, is approximately 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 14 centimetres (5.5 in) in length. An easy way to remember the anatomy of the spleen is the 1×3×5×7×9×10×11 rule. The spleen is 1 by 3 by 5 inches (3 by 8 by 13 cm), weighs approximately 7 oz (200 g), and lies between the 9th and 11th ribs on ...
What is the role of the spleen in the immune system?
The spleen plays important roles in regard to red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the immune system. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood, which can be valuable in case of hemorrhagic shock, and also recycles iron. As a part of the mononuclear phagocyte system, it metabolizes hemoglobin removed from senescent red blood cells ...
Why is the spleen considered a reservoir?
In various cultures, the organ has been linked to melancholia, due to the influence of ancient Greek medicine and the associated doctrine of humourism, in which the spleen was believed to be a reservoir for an elusive fluid known as "black bile" (one of the four humours).
How much red blood cells are stored in the spleen?
Storage of red blood cells, lymphocytes and other formed elements. The spleen of horses stores roughly 30 percent of the red blood cells and can release them when needed. In humans, up to a cup (240 ml) of red blood cells is held within the spleen and released in cases of hypovolemia and hypoxia.
What is the color of the spleen?
In humans the spleen is purple in color and is in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Which organ is part of the lymphatic system?
Like the thymus, the spleen possesses only efferent lymphatic vessels. The spleen is part of the lymphatic system. Both the short gastric arteries and the splenic artery supply it with blood.
What is the meaning of spleen?
English Language Learners Definition of spleen. : an organ located near your stomach that destroys worn-out red blood cells and produces white blood cells. literary : feelings of anger. See the full definition for spleen in the English Language Learners Dictionary.
What is the spleen?
1 : a highly vascular ductless organ that is located in the left abdominal region near the stomach or intestine of most vertebrates and is concerned with final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes. 2 obsolete : the seat of emotions or passions. 3 archaic : melancholy.
spleen
A large, vascular lymphatic organ lying in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, between the stomach and diaphragm, composed of white and red pulp; the white consists of lymphoid nodules and diffuse lymphoid tissue; the red consists of venous sinusoids between which are splenic cords; the stroma of both red and white pulp is composed of reticular fibers and cells.
spleen
A large vascular lymphatic organ lying in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, between the stomach and diaphragm, composed of white and red pulp; the white consists of lymphatic nodules and diffuse lymphatic tissue; the red consists of venous sinusoids between which are splenic cords; the stroma of both red and white pulp is reticular fibers and cells.
What is the role of the spleen in blood circulation?
During stress or at other times when additional blood is needed, the spleen also acts as a blood reservoir as it contracts, forcing stored blood into circulation.
Where does the word "hepatosplenomegaly" come from?
2. Etymology: the word hepatosplenomegaly is compounded from the following Greek roots: hepato- from hepatikos, "of the liver" + spleno, from splen (the spleen) + megaly from megas, "big" or "great" = "large liver and spleen".
Which organ is responsible for destroying worn out red blood cells?
1. A spongy highly vascular organ situated near the stomach in humans which forms lymphocytes, produces antibodies, aids in destroying worn-out red cells from the vital body fluid, and purifies it from bacteria and foreign particles: The spleen acts as a filter against foreign organisms that can infect the bloodstream, and which also filters out old red blood cells from the bloodstream and decomposes them.
What does "dyspepsia" mean?
Denotes something relating to digestion, or the digestive tract. { Dyspepsia }
What is the cecum of the intestine?
cecum ( The cul-de-sac, about 6 cm in depth, lying below the terminal ileum, forming the first part of the large intestine. )
What does angiopathy mean?
vessel { angiopathy = any disease of blood vessels } ( The root angi/o usually refers to a blood vessel but is used for other types of vessels as well. Hemangi/o refers specifically to a blood vessel. )
Where is the spleen located?
spleen. [ splēn ] An organ in vertebrate animals that in humans is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach. The spleen is mainly composed of lymph nodes and blood vessels. It filters the blood, stores red blood cells (erythrocytes) and destroys old ones, and produces white blood cells (lymphocytes).
What does pinching the spleen do?
Back in the 90s, scientists found that pinching this spot can activate nerves that lead to the spleen, which produces immune cells and is a major regulator of inflammation.
Which organ produces white blood cells?
The spleen also produces white blood cells, removes worn-out red blood cells from circulation, and maintains a reserve blood supply for the body. The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
What is the meaning of "stomach"?
noun. a highly vascular, glandular, ductless organ, situated in humans at the cardiac end of the stomach, serving chiefly in the formation of mature lymphocytes, in the destruction of worn-out red blood cells, and as a reservoir for blood. ill humor, peevish temper, or spite.
What is the spongy organ located near the stomach?
a spongy highly vascular organ situated near the stomach in man. It forms lymphocytes, produces antibodies, aids in destroying worn-out red blood cells, and filters bacteria and foreign particles from the bloodRelated adjectives: lienal, splenetic, splenic
Why is the word "sinister" Latin?
The word "sinister" is Latin for "left," because left-handed people were often thought of as suspicious, evil, or demonic.
Which organ stores blood?
spleen. [ splēn ] n. A large, highly vascular lymphoid organ, lying to the left of the stomach below the diaphragm and serving to store blood, disintegrate old blood cells, filter foreign substances from the blood, and to produce lymphocytes.
Overview
Society and culture
There has been a long and varied history of misconceptions regarding the physiological role of the spleen, and it has often been seen as a reservoir for juices closely linked to digestion. In various cultures, the organ has been linked to melancholia, due to the influence of ancient Greek medicine and the associated doctrine of humourism, in which the spleen was believed to be a reservoir for an elusive fluid known as "black bile" (one of the four humours). The spleen also plays an import…
Anatomy
The spleen is underneath the left part of the diaphragm, and has a smooth, convex surface that faces the diaphragm. It is underneath the ninth, tenth, and eleventh ribs. The other side of the spleen is divided by a ridge into two regions: an anterior gastric portion, and a posterior renal portion. The gastric surface is directed forward, upward, and toward the middle, is broad and concave, and is in contact with the posterior wall of the stomach. Below this it is in contact with t…
Function
Other functions of the spleen are less prominent, especially in the healthy adult:
• Spleen produces all types of blood cells during fetal life
• Production of opsonins, properdin, and tuftsin.
• Release of neutrophils following myocardial infarction.
Clinical significance
Enlargement of the spleen is known as splenomegaly. It may be caused by sickle cell anemia, sarcoidosis, malaria, bacterial endocarditis, leukemia, polycythemia vera, pernicious anemia, Gaucher's disease, leishmaniasis, Hodgkin's disease, Banti's disease, hereditary spherocytosis, cysts, glandular fever (mononucleosis or 'Mono' caused by the Epstein–Barr virus, infection from cytomegalovirus), and tumours. Primary tumors of the spleen include hemangiomas and hemangi…
As food
The spleen is one of the many organs that may be included in offal. It is not widely eaten as a principal ingredient, but cow spleen sandwiches are eaten in Sicilian cuisine. Chicken spleen is one of the main ingredients of Jerusalem mixed grill.
In animals
In cartilaginous and ray-finned fish, the spleen consists primarily of red pulp and is normally somewhat elongated, as it lies inside the serosal lining of the intestine. In many amphibians, especially frogs, it has the more rounded form and there is often a greater quantity of white pulp.
In reptiles, birds, and mammals, white pulp is always relatively plentiful, and in birds and mammals the spleen is typically rounded, but it adjusts its shape somewhat to the arrangement of the surr…
Additional images
• Transverse section of the spleen, showing the trabecular tissue and the splenic vein and its tributaries
• Spleen
• Laparoscopic view of human spleen