Chapter 15 The Spleen

Question 1

Results from the 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

Question 2

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

Answer 2

gastrosplenic ligament

Question 3

Within the peritoneal cavity

Answer 3

intraperitoneal

Question 4

LUQ of the abdomen that contains the left lobe of the liver, spleen, stomach

Answer 4

left hypochondrium

Question 5

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

Answer 5

lienorenal ligament

Question 6

Alkaline fluid found in the lymphatic vessels

Answer 6

lymph

Question 7

Ligament between the spleen and the splenic flexure of the colon

Answer 7

phrenocolic ligament

Question 8

More than one spleen

Answer 8

polysplenia

Question 9

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

Answer 9

reticuloendothelial

Question 10

Complete absence of the spleen

Answer 10

splenic agenesis

Question 11

Branch of the celiac axis; tortuous course towards the spleen; serves as the superior border of the pancreas

Answer 11

splenic artery

Question 12

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

Answer 12

splenic hilum

Question 13

Leaves the splenic hilum; travels transversely through the upper abdomen to join with the SMV to form the main portal vein; serves as the posterior medial border of the pancreas

Answer 13

splenic vein

Question 14

Spleen that has migrated from its normal position in the LUQ

Answer 14

wandering spleen

Question 15

Process by which the spleen removes abnormal RBC’s as they pass through

Answer 15

culling

Question 16

Red blood cell

Answer 16

erythrocyte

Question 17

Blood cell production

Answer 17

hematopoiesis

Question 18

Oxygen binding protein found in RBC’s

Answer 18

hemoglobin

Question 19

Pigment released from hemoglobin process

Answer 19

hemosiderin

Question 20

Abnormal decrease in WBC corpuscles; may be phagocytosisdrug induced

Answer 20

leukopenia

Question 21

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

Answer 21

malpighian corpuscles

Question 22

Process by which the red pulp destroys the degenerating RBC’s

Answer 22

phagocytosis

Question 23

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

Answer 23

pitting

Question 24

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

Answer 24

red pulp

Question 25

Long irregular channels lined by endothelial cells or flattened reticular cells.

Answer 25

splenic sinuses

Question 26

Defend the body by destroying invading microorganisms and their toxins

Answer 26

white blood cells

Question 27

Consists of lymphatic tissue and lymphatic follicles

Answer 27

white pulp

Question 28

Metabolic disorder marked by amyloid deposits in orgasd and tissues

Answer 28

amyloidosis

Question 29

Anemia caused by antibodies produced by the patient's own immune system

Answer 29

autoimmune hemolytic anemia

Question 30

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

Answer 30

Gaucher's disease

Question 31

Anemia resulting from the hemolysis of RBC's

Answer 31

hemolytic anemia

Question 32

Malignant disease that involves lymphoid tissue

Answer 32

Hodgkin disease

Question 33

Interruption of the blood supply to an area that may lead to necrosis of the area

Answer 33

infarction

Question 34

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 34

mononucleosis

Question 35

Malignant disease of lymphoid tissue seen in increased frequency in individuals older than 50

Answer 35

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Question 36

Excess of RBC's

Answer 36

polycythemia

Question 37

Chronic, life shortening condition of unknown cause involving bone marrow elements; characterized by an increase in RBC mass and hemoglobin concentration

Answer 37

polycythemia vera

Question 38

Inherited disorder transmitted by an autosomal recessive trait that causes an abnormality of the globin genes in hemoglobin

Answer 38

sickle cell anemia

Question 39

Hereditary condition in which erythocytes assume a spheroid shape

Answer 39

spherocytosis

Question 40

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

Answer 40

sickle cell crisis

Question 41

Enlargement of the spleen.

Answer 41

Splenomegaly

Question 42

Group of hereditary anemias occurring in Asian and Meditteranean populations

Answer 42

thalassemia

Question 43

The spleen is part of the reticuloendothelial system and is the largest single mass of ___ in the body.

Answer 43

lymphoid tissue

Question 44

The spleen is a/an ___organ, covered with peritoneum over its entire extent except for a small area at the hilum, where the vascular structures and lymph nodes are located.

Answer 44

intraperitoneal

Question 45

The spleen is normally measured with US on a long image from the ___ margin to the ___ margin at the long axis.

Answer 45

upper; inferior

Question 46

___ may occur as part of asplenic or polysplenic syndromes in association with complex cardiac malformations, bronchopulmonary abnormalities, or visceral heterotaxis.

Answer 46

Splenic agenesis

Question 47

A ___ is usually found near the hilum or inferior border of the spleen but has been reported elsewhere in the abdominal cavity.

Answer 47

accessory spleen

Question 48

The ___ indicated the percentage of RBC's per volume of blood.

Answer 48

hematocrit

Question 49

The term ___ indicates bacteria in the bloodstream.

Answer 49

sepsis

Question 50

The increase in the number of WBC's present in the blood that is a typical finding of infection is called ___.

Answer 50

leukocytosis

Question 51

Sonographically the splenic parenchyma should have a fine homogenous ___, as seen within the liver parenchyma.

Answer 51

low level echo pattern

Question 52

Systemic venous congestion is found in cardiac decompensation involving the ___ side of the heart.

Answer 52

right

Question 53

In infants and children in crisis, the earlier stage of ____, the spleen is enlarged with marked congestion of the red pulp.

Answer 53

sickle cell anemia

Question 54

Patients with hepatosplenic ____ may show irregular masses within the spleen, the "wheels within wheels" pattern, with the outer wheel representing the ring of fibrosis surrounding the echogenic wheel of inflammatory cells and a central hypoechoic area.

Answer 54

candidiasis

Question 55

If the patient has severe LUQ pain secondary to trauma, a splenic _____ or a ___ hematoma should be considered.

Answer 55

hematoma; subscapular