Chapter 15 - The Spleen

Question 1

results from failure of fusion of separate splenic masses forming on the dorsal mesogastrium; most commonly found in the splenic hilum or along the splenic vessels or associated ligaments

Answer 1

accessory spleen (splenunculus)

Question 2

a metabolic disorder marked by amyloid deposits in organs and tissue

Answer 2

amyloidosis

Question 3

anemia caused by antibodies produced by the patient’s own immune system

Answer 3

autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Question 4

process by which the spleen removes abnormal red blood cells as they pass through

Answer 4

culling

Question 5

red blood cell

Answer 5

erythrocyte

Question 6

one of the ligaments between the stomach and spleen that helps to hold the spleen in place

Answer 6

gastrosplenic ligament

Question 7

one of the storage diseases in which fat and proteins are deposited abnormally in the body

Answer 7

Gaucher’s disease

Question 8

blood cell production

Answer 8

hematopoiesis

Question 9

oxygen-binding protein found in red blood cells

Answer 9

hemoglobin

Question 10

anemia resulting from hemolysis of red blood cells

Answer 10

hemolytic anemia

Question 11

pigment released from the hemoglobin process

Answer 11

hemosiderin

Question 12

a malignant disease that involves lymphoid tissue

Answer 12

Hodgkin’s disease

Question 13

an interruption in the blood supply to an area that may lead to necrosis of the area

Answer 13

infarction

Question 14

within the peritoneal cavity

Answer 14

intraperitoneal

Question 15

left upper quadrant of the abdomen that contains the left lobe of the liver, the spleen, and the stomach

Answer 15

left hypochondrium

Question 16

abnormal decrease in white blood corpuscles; may be drug induced

Answer 16

leukopenia

Question 17

ligament between the spleen and kidney that helps support the greater curvature of the stomach

Answer 17

lienorenal ligament

Question 18

an alkaline fluid found in the lymphatic vessels

Answer 18

lymph

Question 19

follicles in the white pulp of the spleen, containing many lymphocytes

Answer 19

malpighian corpuscles

Question 20

an acute infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that most commonly affects teenagers and young adults; symptoms include fever, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, abnormal lymphocysts, and hepatosplenomegaly

Answer 20

mononucleosis

Question 21

a malignant disease of lymphoid tissue seen with increased frequency in individuals older than 50 years of age

Answer 21

non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Question 22

process by which the red pulp destroys the degenerating red blood cells

Answer 22

phagocytosis

Question 23

one of the ligaments between the spleen and the splenic flexure of the colon

Answer 23

phrenocolic ligament

Question 24

process by which the spleen removes nuclei from blood cells without destroying the erythrocytes

Answer 24

pitting

Question 25

an excess of red blood cells

Answer 25

polycythemia

Question 26

chronic, life-shortening condition of unknown cause involving bone marrow elements; characterized by an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin concentration

Answer 26

polycythemia vera

Question 27

condition in which more than one spleen is present

Answer 27

polysplenia

Question 28

consists of reticular cells and fibers (cords of Billroth); surrounds the splenic sinuses

Answer 28

red pulp

Question 29

certain phagocytic cells (found in the liver and spleen) make up the reticuloendothelial system (RES); plays a role in the synthesis of blood proteins and hemopoiesis

Answer 29

reticuloendothelial

Question 30

inherited disorder transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait that causes an abnormality of the globin genes in hemoglobin

Answer 30

sickle cell anemia

Question 31

condition in sickle cell anemia in which the sickled cells interfere with oxygen transport, obstruct capillary blood flow, and cause fever and severe pain in the joints and abdomen

Answer 31

sickle cell crisis

Question 32

condition in which erythrocytes assume a spheroid shape; hereditary

Answer 32

spherocytosis

Question 33

branch of the celiac axis; tortuous course toward the spleen; serves as the superior border of the pancreas

Answer 33

splenic artery

Question 34

located in the middle of the spleen; site where vessels and lymph nodes enter and exit the spleen

Answer 34

splenic hilum

Question 35

long irregular channels lined by endothelial cells or flattened reticular cells

Answer 35

splenic sinuses

Question 36

leaves the splenic hilum, travels transversely through the upper abdomen to join with the superior mesenteric vein to form the main portal vein; serves as the posterior medial border of the pancreas

Answer 36

splenic vein

Question 37

enlargement of the spleen

Answer 37

splenomegaly

Question 38

group of hereditary anemias occurring in Asian and Mediterranean populations

Answer 38

thalassemia

Question 39

spleen that has migrated from its normal location in the left upper quadrant

Answer 39

wandering spleen

Question 40

consists of lymphatic tissue and lymphatic follicles

Answer 40

white pulp

Question 41

complete absence of the spleen

Answer 41

splenic agenesis