Key Terms Spleen Flashcards
One of the ligaments between the spleen and the splenic flexure of the colon
Phrenocolic ligament
Within the peritoneal cavity
Intraperitoneal
Blood cell production
Hematopoiesis
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
Sickle cell crisis
Anemia caused by antibodies produced by the patient’s own immune system
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Process by which the red pulp destroys the degenerating red blood cells
Phagocytosis
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
Accessory spleen
Inherited disorder transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait that causes an abnormality of the globin genes in hemoglobin
Sickle cell anemia
A malignant disease of lymphoid tissue seen with increased frequency in individuals older than 50 years of age
Non-hodgkins lymphoma
Consists of reticular cells and fibers (cords of Billroth); surrounds the splenic sinuses
Red pulp
Chronic, life-shortening condition of unknown cause involving bone marrow elements; characterized by an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin concentration
Polycythemia vera
Enlargement of the spleen
Splenomegaly
Condition in which more than one spleen is present
Polysplenia
Located in the middle of the spleen; site where vessels and lymph nodes enter and exit the spleen
Splenic hilum
Oxygen-binding protein found in red blood cells
Hemoglobin
Follicles in the white pulp of the spleen, containing many lymphocytes
Malpighian corpuscles
Ligament between the spleen and kidney that helps support the greater curvature of the stomach
Lienorenal ligament
One of the storage diseases in which fat and proteins are deposited abnormally in the body
Gaucher’s disease
Group of hereditary anemias occurring in Asian and Mediterranean populations
Thalassemia
Long irregular channels lined by endothelial cells or flattened reticular cells
Splenic sinuses
One of the ligaments between the stomach and spleen that helps to hold the spleen in place
Gastrosplenic ligament
Branch of the celiac axis; tortuous course toward the spleen; serves as the superior border of the pancreas
Splenic artery
Resulting from hemolysis of red blood cells
Hemolytic anemia
Spleen that has migrated from its normal location in the left upper quadrant
Wandering spleen
Pigment released from the hemoglobin process
Hemosiderin
An interruption in the blood supply to an area that may lead to necrosis of the area
Infarction
Red blood cell
Erythrocyte
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
Mononucleosis
Process by which the spleen removes abnormal red blood cells as they pass through
Culling
A metabolic disorder marked by amyloid deposits in organs and tissue
Amyloidosis
Left upper quadrant of the abdomen that contains the left lobe of the liver, the spleen, and the stomach
Left hypochondrium
An alkaline fluid found in the lymphatic vessels
Lymph
Consists of lymphatic tissue and lymphatic follicles
White pulp
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
Reticuloendothelial
Process by which the spleen removes nuclei from blood cells without destroying the erythrocytes
pitting
Condition in which erythrocytes assume a spheroid shape; hereditary
Spherocytosis
Complete absence of the spleen
Splenic agenesis
A malignant disease that involves lymphoid tissue
Hodgkin’s disease
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
Splenic vein
An excess of red blood cells
Polycythemia
Abnormal decrease in white blood corpuscles; may be drug induced
Leukopenia
