Spleen Flashcards
1
Q
Nature
A
- Most important component in the lymphatic system
- In living, it is highly vascular, soft, and friable
2
Q
Site
A
- In left hypochondrium, but its posterior end extends into epigastric region
- It lies between stomach fundus and diaphragm
3
Q
Size
A
1 inch thick
3 inches in breadth
5 inches in length
4
Q
Weight
A
7 ounces in weight
5
Q
Shape
A
2 borders:
1. Superior
2. Inferior
2 ends:
1. Medial (posterior)
2. Lateral (anterior)
2 surfaces:
1. Diaphragmatic surface
2. Visceral surface
6
Q
Superior border
A
- Sharp
- Marked by one or more notches near lateral end
7
Q
Inferior border
A
- Rounded
- Smooth
8
Q
Medial end
A
- Tapering
- Directed upwards, backwards, and medial
9
Q
Lateral end
A
- Broad
- Directed downwards, forwards, and lateral
10
Q
Diaphragmatic surface
A
- Smooth
- Convex
- Directed lateral
- Related to diaphragm which separates it from lower part of left pleura, lung, 9th, 10th, 11th ribs with their intercostal muscles
11
Q
Visceral surface
A
- Directed medial towards abdominal cavity
- Presented hilum and 4 impressions:
- Gastric
- Renal
- Colic
- Pancreatic
12
Q
Gastric impression
A
- Above hilum
- Related to stomach fundus
13
Q
Renal impression
A
- Below hilum
- Related to front of left kidney
14
Q
Colic impressions
A
- Near lateral end
- Related to left colic flexure
15
Q
Pancreatic impression
A
- Just below hilum lateral end
- Related to pancreas tail
16
Q
Hilum
A
- Anterosuperior slit between gastric and renal impressions
- Allows passage of splenic vessels, lymphatics, and nerves
17
Q
Surface anatomy
A
- Lies opposite 9th, 10th, q1th ribs with its long axis parallel to 10th rib
- Its medial end lies 1.5 inch from midline posterior, while its lateral end lies in left mid-Axillary line
18
Q
Peritoneal covering
A
- Completely covered by peritoneum
- Related to lesser sac left extremity (splenic recess)
- Has 3 peritoneal ligaments:
- Gastrosplenic
- Leinorenal
- Phrenicocolic
19
Q
Gastrosplenic ligament extent
A
Extends between upper lip of spleen Hilum and upper part of stomach greater curvature
20
Q
Gastrosplenic content
A
- Short gastric and left gastroepiploic vessels (from splenic artery to stomach greater curvature)
- Lymphatics and pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes
- Extra-peritoneal fat and autonomic nerve fibers
- Accessory splenules in some cases
21
Q
Leinorenal ligament extent
A
Extends from lower lip of spleen Hilum to front of left kidney
22
Q
Leinorenal ligament contents
A
- Splenic vessels
- Tail of pancreas
- Lymphatics and pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes
- Extraperitoneal fat and autonomic nerve fibers
23
Q
Phernicocolic ligament
A
- Extends between left colic flexure and diaphragm undersurface
- Supports spleen from below
24
Q
Blood supply
A
- Splenic artery
- Splenic vein
25
Splenic artery
5 terminal branches (end arteries)
26
Splenic vein
Runs behind pancreas body and joins superior mesenteric vein forming portal vein
27
Lymphatic drainage
1. Red bulb has no lymphatics
2. Few lymphatics arise from capsule and trabeculae to drain into pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes (along splenic artery)
28
Factors supporting in position
1. Intraabdominal pressure
2. Positions of surrounding organs
3. Peritoneal ligaments
29
Function
1. Formation of RBC’s during intrauterine life
2. Destruction of old RBC’s, foreign materials, and toxins
3. Blood and iron reservoir
30
Applied anatomy: enlargement and position
1. In living adult, normal spleen (or even enlargement less than 2-3 times) can not be felt
2. Position can be determined only by percussion
31
Applied anatomy: spleen swelling
1. If it is enlarged 2-3 times, it can be felt as a swelling in left hypochondrium
2. Splenic swelling is characterized by presence of notch or notches on it superior border
3. It usually enlarges towards right iliac fossa due to direction of spleen long axis and presence of phrenico-colic ligament
32
Applied anatomy: pain in spleen
Pain due to splenic diseases is felt in left hypochondrium
