Spleen Flashcards
where is the spleen located within the abdomen?
upper left quadrant of the abdomen, under cover of the diaphragm and ribcage
what is the spleen roughly the size of?
a clenched fist
what is the function of the spleen in an adult?
blood filter, removing old red blood cells. It also plays a role in the immune response
As the spleen is located under cover of the diaphragm and ribcage, what does this mean?
it cannot be palpated on clinical examination
what type of organ is the spleen and what is it surrounded by? except what?
It is an intraperitoneal organ, entirely surrounded by peritoneum (except at the splenic hilum)
what lies anteriorly to the spleen?
stomach
what lies posteriorly to the spleen?
diaphragm
left lung
ribs 9-11
what lies inferiorly to the spleen?
left colic flexure
what lies medially to the spleen?
left kidney
tail of the pancreas
what is the spleen connected to?
the stomach and kidney by parts of the greater omentum
what is the spleen connected to the stomach and kidney by?
greater omentum
what is the greater omentum?
a double fold of peritoneum that originates from the stomach
what is the ligament that joins the spleen to the stomach?
Gastrosplenic ligament
what does the gastrosplenic ligament connect?
connects the spleen to the greater curvature of the stomach
what connects the spleen to the kidney?
Splenorenal ligament
what does the splenorenal ligament connect exactly?
connects the hilum of the spleen to the left kidney
what lies within the splenorenal ligament?
The splenic vessels and tail of the pancreas
what shape is the spleen?
slightly oval shape
what is the spleen covered by? what does it allow for?
a weak capsule that protects the organ, whilst allowing it to expand in size
what can the outer surface of the spleen divided into?
2
diaphragmatic surface
visceral surface
what is the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen in contact with?
in contact with diaphragm and ribcage
what is the visceral surface of the spleen in contact with?
the other abdominal viscera
what are the different borders of the spleen?
anterior, superior, posteromedial and inferior borders
what are the posteromedial and inferior borders like?
smooth
what are the anterior and superior borders of the spleen like?
anterior and superior borders contain notches
what is enlargement of the spleen known as?
splenomegaly
what happens in splenomegaly?
the superior border moves inferomedially, and its notches can be palpated
what is the spleen like in terms of vascularisation?
The spleen is a highly vascular organ
where does the spleen receive its arterial supply from?
splenic artery
where does the splenic artery arise from?
coeliac trunk
where does the coeliac trunk run?
laterally along the superior aspect of the pancreas, within the splenorenal ligament
what happens to the splenic artery as it reaches the spleen?
it branches into five vessels – each supplying a different part of the organ
how do the 5 branches of the splenic artery supply different parts of the organ?
These arterial branches do not anastomose with each other – giving rise to vascular segments of the spleen.
as the 5 branches do not anastomose, what does this enable the surgeon to do?
This enables a surgeon to remove one of these segments without affecting the others (a procedure known as a subtotal splenectomy)
what is the venous drainage of the spleen?
splenic vein
what does splenic vein combine?
superior mesenteric vein
what does splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein combine to form?
the hepatic portal vein
what is the nerve supply to the spleen from?
the coeliac plexus
which abdominal organ has the highest incidence of injury?
The spleen
when does the rupture of the spleen occur?
when there is a break in its fibroelastic capsule, disrupting the underlying parenchyma
what is rupture of the spleen normally caused by?
Rupture is caused by blunt or penetrating trauma
what is rupture of the spleen normally associated with?
It is often associated with left rib fractures, with a bony fragment easily tearing the capsule
what does the rupture of the spleen result in? why?
As the spleen is a highly vascular organ, its rupture results in profuse bleeding into the peritoneal cavity
what is the definitive treatment for rupture of the spleen?
full or partial removal of the spleen
