Chapter 6: The Spleen Flashcards
a rare malignant tumor of the spleen that is derived from blood vessels
angiosarcoma
a herpes virus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis
Epstein-Barr infection
small echogenic calcifications that result from inflammation of the tissue in that area
granulomas
a benign tumor composed of blood vessels
hemangioma
a disease that results from the inhalation of an airborne fungus that can affect the lungs and may spread to other organs
histoplasmosis
specialized tissue within the spleen that performs its phagocytic function
red pulp
a systemic disease that results in the development of granulomas throughout the body
sarcoidosis
specialized lymphatic tissue within the spleen
white pulp
the spleen is a(n) _____________ organ
intraperitoneal
primary function of the spleen
filters blood
function of the spleen in the fetus
erythropoiesis
produces lymphocytes in the spleen to aid the immune system
white pulp
performs the phagocytic function in the spleen
red pulp
the splenic artery marks the superior border of what?
the pancreatic body and tail
the splenic vein joins with the ______ posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the ____________
SMV
portal vein
the spleen __________ in size with advancing age
decreases
the most common abnormality of the spleen
splenomegaly
the spleen should never measure more than ____ in length and ____ in thickness
12 cm
5 cm
the most common cause of splenomegaly
portal hypertension
Clinical findings: palpable, enlarged spleen hemolytic abnormalities trauma infection possible elevated white blood cell and/or red blood cell count
splenomegaly
Sonographic findings:
enlargement of the spleen to greater than 12 cm length or 5 cm thickness
splenomegaly
Clinical findings:
asymptomatic
pain can occur with hemorrhage
splenic cyst
Sonographic findings:
thin-walled
anechoic mass
posterior enhancement
splenic cyst
Clinical findings:
sudden onset of LUQ pain
splenic infarct
Sonographic findings:
acute - hypoechoic, wedge-shaped mass within the spleen
chronic - hyperechoic, wedge-shaped mass within the spleen
splenic infarct
Clinical findings:
blunt trauma to the LUQ
severe LUQ pain
decreased hematocrit level indicating active bleeding
splenic trauma
Sonographic findings:
acute hemorrhage - isoechoic
later stages of hemorrhage - anechoic or echogenic
can have a complex appearance or calcified walls
splenic trauma
Clinical findings:
asymptomatic
pain occurs with hemorrhage
splenic hemangioma
Sonographic findings:
well-defined, hyperechoic mass
splenic hemangioma
small echogenic foci seen throughout the spleen
granulomas
primary malignant tumor of the spleen
angiosarcoma
most common malignancy of the spleen
lymphoma
A rare malignant tumor of the spleen that consists of blood vessels is a/an: A. lymphoma B. angiosarcoma C. hemangioma D. granuloma
angiosarcoma
What is the most common sonographic appearance of a splenic hemangioma? A. echogenic B. hypoechoic C. anechoic D. complex
echogenic
The splenic artery marks the:
A. posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
B. superior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
C. medial surface of the pancreatic body and tail
D. lateral aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
superior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
The type of tissue within the spleen that is responsible for its phagocytic function is the: A. red pulp B. white pulp C. culling pulp D. pitting pulp
red pulp
A 32-year-old female patient presents to the ultrasound department for an abdominal sonogram. An evaluation of the spleen reveals a 1-cm, rounded, echogenic mass that does not produce acoustic shadowing. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. pheochromocytoma B. lipoma C. splenic metastasis D. hemangioma
hemangioma
The type of tissue within the spleen that is responsible for its lymphatic function is the: A. red pulp B. white pulp C. culling segment D. pitting segment
white pulp
The splenic vein marks the:
A. posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
B. anterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
C. medial surface of the pancreatic body and tail
D. lateral aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail
All of the following are functions of the spleen except: A. storage of iron B. defense against disease C. blood reservoir D. destruction of phagocytic cells
destruction of phagocytic cells
All of the following can be associated with splenomegaly except: A. trauma B. hemolytic abnormalities C. mononucleosis D. pancreatitis
pancreatitis
Diffuse involvement of lymphoma or leukemia of the spleen will often lead to: A. splenomegaly B. splenic atrophy C. Epstein-Barr infection D. splenic torsion
splenomegaly
The splenic artery originates at the: A. superior mesenteric artery B. inferior phrenic artery C. celiac trunk D. gastroduodenal artery
celiac trunk
A 35-year-old male patient presents to the ultrasound department for an abdominal sonogram with a history of abdominal pain and histoplasmosis. What are you more likely to identify within the spleen? A. multiple histomas B. multiple hemangiomas C. multiple metastatic lesions D. multiple granulomas
multiple granulomas
A 14-year-old male patient presents to the ultrasound department after falling from his bicycle. An abdominal sonogram reveals a complex-appearing mass within the spleen. This most likely represents a: A. splenic hemangioma B. splenic granuloma C. splenic hematoma D. splenic infarct
splenic hematoma
Sickle cell disease will often lead to: A. splenic metastasis B. sarcoidosis C. splenomegaly D. wandering spleen
splenomegaly
Epstein-Barr infection is best described as:
A. a herpesvirus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis in children
B. a herpesvirus that is often associated with splenic granulomatous disease
C. an infection that results in sickle cell anemia in children
D. an infection within a splenic hematoma following blunt trauma
a herpesvirus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis in children
The spleen removes irregular cells from the bloodstream and retains them through a process called: A. pitting B. culling C. crimping D. amassing
culling
What systemic disease results in the development of granulomas within the spleen and throughout the body? A. granulomatosis B. sarcoidosis C. sickle cell anemia D. histoplasmosis
sarcoidosis
From the list below, what is the most likely clinical finding of a patient who has a splenic hemangioma? A. fever B. decreased hematocrit C. elevated WBC count D. none
none
All of the following are true of the spleen except:
A. it is the largest structure of the reticuloendothelial system
B. the primary objective of the spleen is to filter the peripheral blood
C. the spleen has a convex inferior margin and a concave superior border
D. the spleen is considered the largest lymphatic organ
the spleen has a convex inferior margin and a concave superior border
The splenic vein joins with what structure posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the portal vein? A. inferior mesenteric artery B. superior mesenteric vein C. left renal vein D. main hepatic vein
superior mesenteric vein
