Basic and clinical anatomy of the spleen Flashcards
Is the spleen intra or retro peritoneal
Intraperitoneal
The two pulps of the spleen and their functions
Red pulp (blood enters spleen, made of splenic cords called Bilroff) White pulp (leukocytes)
How does blood enter and exit the spleen (vessels)
Splenic artery -> capillaries -> parenchyma
Lakes -> portal vein -> liver
Germinal centres
Within LNs and spleen - where B cells proliferate and differentiate
Function of spleen
Filtration Makes IgG Removes RBCs and platelets Stores RBCs and WBCs Haemopoeitic <5months gestation
Where is the spleen?
LUQ
Deep to ribs 9, 10 and 11
5cm from T10
Anatomical relations of the spleen
Anterior: stomach
Posterior: diaphragm and ribs 9-11
Inferior: splenic flexure of colon
Medial: left kidney and pancreatic tail
Three ligaments in relation to the spleen
Gastrosplenic: passes infant of hilum and connects to stomach
Lienorenal ligament: spleen gets blood from aorta
Falciform ligament: liver meets abdominal wall
3 branches of thoracic aorta
SMA, IMA, coeliac trunk
Blood supply to spleen
Aorta - coeliac trunk - splenic artery
Venous drainage of spleen
Splenic vein -> portal vein -> liver -> IVC
Innervation of spleen
Autonomic
Lymph drainage spleen
From hilum through pancreaticosplenic nodes along splenic artery into coeliac nodes
Drains to cisterna chyli and venous circulation
Sharp and blunt splenic trauma
Blunt trauma: deceleration injury - spleen is tight and has little protection
Sharp trauma: injury from fracture of rib
Splenic embolisation
Inject with dye and insert coils until bleeding stops
