Lesson 16 (Part 1) Flashcards
What quadrant is the spleen located in?
LUQ
What region would you find the spleen in?
Left hypochondrium
Is the spleen intra or retroperitoneal?
Intraperitoneal
What parts of the spleen are in contact with the diaphragm? (3)
- Superior
- Lateral
- Posterior
What is the inferior/medial aspect of the spleen in contact with? (4)
- Stomach
- Left kidney
- Pancreas
- Splenic flexure
Where is the spleen compared to the left kidney?
It is superior to it
Where is the spleen compared to the stomach?
Posterior to it
Where is the spleen compared to the pancreas?
Superior and lateral to the pancreas tail
What is the spleen surrounded by?
A fibrous capsule
What is the shape of the spleen?
Ovoid shaped
- convex superior/laterally
- concave inferior/medially
What is the contour of the spleen?
Smooth borders
- superior, posterior and laterally
- not at the hilum (medial)
What is the contour of the medial aspect of the spleen?
Has gentle indentations
What kind of organ is the spleen?
A highly vascular organ
What passes through the hilum of the spleen? (2)
- Splenic artery
2. Splenic vien
What is the spleen composed of? (2)
- White pulp
2. Red pulp
What is special about the splenic artery?
It is tortuous
What are the ligaments of the spleen? (3)
- Splenorenal ligament
- Phrenicocolic ligament
- Gastrosplenic ligament
When do we see the splenic arteries?
If patients have ascites
- not routinely seen
What are functions of the spleen? (5)
- Defence
- immunity - Tissue repair
- Hematopoesis
- RBC and platelet destruction
- Blood reservoir
What do macrophages do in the spleen?
Remove microorganisms from the blood
What complete development of the blood? (2)
- Monocytes
2. Lymphocytes
What stores blood in the spleen? (2)
- Pulp
2. Sinus
Can a spleen be congenitally absent?
Yes
Can a spleen be surgically removed?
Yes
Can you live without your spleen?
Yes
Why might we scan the spleen? (3)
- If they complain of pain
- Mono
- enlarged spleen - Rupture/trauma
- very sensitive
What are some questions you should ask your patient? (3)
- If they have had any surgery
- if its been removed - If they have experienced any trauma
- If they have been sick
What is the best way to measure the spleen?
Eyeball it
What do you compare the spleen to when eyeballing it?
The left kidney
How long should the spleen be?
11-12cm
What is still considered normal length for the spleen?
8-13cm
What should the width of the spleen be?
Within 5cm
What should the AP be for the spleen?
Within 7cm
What is the size of the spleen dependant on? (3)
- Gender
- Age
- Body height
