Spleen

Question 1

What kind of organ is the spleen?

Answer 1

Intraperitoneal

Question 2

What is the normal size of the spleen?

Answer 2

It varies
Length no more than 12-13 cm
Thickness no more than 7-8 cm

Question 3

Where does splenic blood supply come from?

Answer 3

Splenic artery and vein

Question 4

What is the vasculature of the spleen?

Answer 4

The splenic artery branches off the celiac trunk and branches off into four segments that do not anastomose within the spleen
The splenic vein is formed by the confluence of the proper splenic veins and joins with the SMV to form the portal vein
The organ has vascular segregation

Question 5

What are the two main types of tissue in the spleen?

Answer 5

Lymphatic tissue (white pulp) 
Connective tissue (red pulp)

Question 6

What are the four main functions of the spleen?

Answer 6

Remove foreign material from the blood
Mounting immune response
Removal and destruction of senescent red blood cells
Hematopoiesis and red blood cell reservoir

Question 7

What is the normal echogenicity of the spleen?

Answer 7

Homogenous with low level echogenicity similar to the liver

Question 8

What is the anatomical variant found in 10-30% of people?

Answer 8

Accessory spleen
Small island of splenic tissue less than 2 cm in diameter
Found along splenic hilum or pancreas tail