Spleen Flashcards
1
Q
When does the spleen begin to develop in embryologic development?
A
5th week of gestational age
2
Q
What role does the fetal spleen play during development?
A
producing red and white blood cells
3
Q
When does the spleen begin hematopoiesis?
A
11th week of gestational age
4
Q
When do the lobulations of the fetal spleen smooth out?
A
5-6 weeks
5
Q
Where does the fetal spleen originate from?
A
mesoderm cells in the dorsal mesogastrium
6
Q
production of blood cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets)
A
hematopoiesis
7
Q
What is the single largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the body?
A
spleen
8
Q
T or F: Since the spleen is a component of the immune system, removal can cause adverse side affects
A
False.
It can be removed without adverse side affects
9
Q
T or F: the spleen is often affected by a systemic disease process and is rarely the primary site of disease
A
True.
10
Q
RBC
A
erythrocyte
11
Q
process of making RBCs
A
erythropoiesis
12
Q
a cell that engulfs and consumes foreign material and debris
A
phagocyte
13
Q
removal of worn out and abnormal RBCs and platelets from the bloodstream
A
phagocytosis
14
Q
the spread of an infection from its initial site to the bloodstream
A
sepsis
15
Q
Donning a gown, mask, and gloves because the pt is immunocompromised because they have a low number of neutrophils
A
neutropenic precautions
16
Q
iron containing, oxygen carrying pigment of RBCs
A
hemoglobin
17
Q
% of RBCs within your blood volume
A
hematocrit
18
Q
located medially in the spleen; where the vasculature enters/exits
A
splenic hilum
19
Q
has the responsibility of phagocytosis; found in the spleen, liver, lymph nodes, alveoli, brain, blood vessels, mucous membranes
A
reticuloendothelial system
20
Q
where worn-out RBCs and blood borne pathogens are destroyed; consists of splenic sinuses and splenic cords
A
red pulp
21
Q
where immune system functions take place; consists of lymphatic tissue containing lymphocytes and monocytes that continually digest harmful pathogens entering the blood stream
A
white pulp
22
Q
non-penetrating trauma
A
blunt force trauma
23
Q
The spleen is a __1___ organ covered by a ___2___ except where vessels enter/exit at the hilum.
A
- peritoneal
- peritoneum
24
Q
T or F: the spleen has a strong capsule
A
False.
The spleen does not have a strong capsule; making it fragile and susceptible to injury
25
What is the length of the spleen?
8-13 cm
26
What is the height (AP) of the spleen?
7-8 cm
27
What is the width of the spleen?
3-4 cm
28
What is the normal volume of the spleen?
60-200 mL
29
What is the splenic index?
107-314
30
What are supporting ligaments of the spleen?
- splenorenal ligament
- phrenicocolic ligament
- gastrosplenic ligament
31
The spleen lies in which region and quadrant?
LT hypochondrium/LUQ
32
The spleen lies ______ to the stomach and pancreas tail?
posterolateral
33
The spleen lies _______ to the LT colic flexure?
posterior
34
The spleen lies _______ and _______ to LK?
superior, lateral
35
The spleen lies ________ to the LT hemidiaphragm and LT lung?
anterior
36
The spleen lies _______ to ribs along dorsal abdomen?
anterior
37
courses horizontally along the superior border of the tail of the pancreas; tortuous; SUP/ANT to splenic vein
splenic artery
38
courses horizontally along the inferior border of the tail of the pancreas; part of portal venous circulation?
splenic vein
39
What is the primary function of the spleen?
Remove.......from circulation
- old blood cells
- debris
- pathogens
- foreign substances
40
The spleen is a soft organ with elastic properties that allow it to distend; helps it act as a _______________?
blood reservoir
41
The spleen contains ________ of connective tissue which divides the spleen into lobules?
trabecula
42
What 2 tissues are within the lobules of the spleen?
1. white pulp
2. red pulp
43
Performs lymphatic function of spleen?
white pulp
44
Performs phagocytic function spleen?
red pulp
45
consists of splenic sinuses alternating with splenic cords (microscopic)?
red pulp
46
consists of Malpighian corpuscles (a type of lymphoid tissues that acts as a filter)?
white pulp
47
Red or white pulp contains RBCs and phagocytes?
red pulp
48
Produces antibodies, lymphocytes, and monocytes to aid in immune response?
white pulp
49
removing irregular RBCs from the blood stream?
culling
50
removal of nuclei from old RBCs by the spleen without destroying the actual cell?
pitting
51
What are the 4 major spleen functions?
1. defense
2. hematopoiesis
3. RBC/platelet destruction
4. storage
52
In the developing fetus, what produces RBCs and WBCs?
spleen
53
In an adult, what produces RBCs?
bone marrow
54
RBC production in adults are only done by the spleen in _________ _________?
severe anemia
55
What are the by products of cells being broken down?
1. hemoglobin
2. globin
3. hemosiderin
4. heme
56
What will develop if the number of blood cells stored within the spleen becomes excessive?
splenomegaly
57
a spleen that has migrated from its normal location in the LUQ?
wandering spleen
58
Splenule, spleneculus, supernumerary spleen are other names for what congenital abnormality?
accessory spleen
59
Which congenital anomaly may lead to splenic torsion?
wandering spleen
60
a common congenital anomaly usually found in splenic hilum or INF border of spleen?
accessory spleen
61
What is another name for splenic agenesis?
asplenia
62
An embryonic anomaly of the dorsal mesentery that fails to fuse with the posterior peritoneum that leads to failure of splenic ligaments to form properly?
wandering spleen
63
absence of the spleen; can be congenital or secondary to a disease?
splenic agenesis (asplenia)
64
development of multiple small pieces of splenic parenchyma?
polysplenia
65
normal arrangement of symmetric body organs?
situs solitus
66
mirror image arrangement of body organs?
situs inversus
67
the combination of correct-sided, and incorrect-sided organs
situs ambiguous / visceral heterotaxy
68
% of RBCs per volume of blood; low readings indicate hemorrhage or internal bleeding?
hematocrit
69
Indicates presence of bacteria in the body?
bacteremia
70
increase in WBCs; sign of infection?
leukocytosis
71
decrease in WBCs; may be secondary to medications or bone marrow disorder; interferes with the body's ability to fight infection?
leukopenia
72
an abnormal decrease in platelets; may be due to internal hemorrhage?
thrombocytopenia
73
How long should a pt be NPO?
6-8 hours
74
What kind of TRX should be used for a spleen US?
2-6 MHz curvilinear
75
What is the normal echogenicity of the spleen?
isoechoic, slightly more echogenic than liver
76
What is commonly evaluated on ultrasound for imaging the spleen?
splenomegaly
77
How do you calculate splenic volume?
SAG x AP x TRV x .523
(length x height x width)
78
How do you calculate splenic index?
SAG x AP x TRV
(length x height x width)
79
enlargement of the spleen?
splenomegaly
80
enlargement of spleen, secondary to vascular congestion/liver failure?
congestion of the spleen
81
What occurs in acute congestion of the spleen?
hyperemia
(excess blood in a body part)
82
What occurs in chronic congestion of the spleen?
diffuse splenomegaly
83
What is the most common disease process encountered by a sonographer?
splenomegaly
84
This pathology can be seen secondary to RT sided heart issues, cirrhosis, PV HTN, PV thrombosis?
congestion of the spleen
85
The most common causes of this pathology are bacterial infection, viral infection (mono), PV HTN?
splenomegaly
86
an excessive build up of amyloid in tissues/organs; this build up is typically systemic and not only affecting the spleen?
amyloidosis
87
a waxy, translucent substance, composed primarily of protein fibers, that is deposited in various organs of animals in certain diseases?
amyloid
88
A type of amyloidosis where amyloid is found in walls of arteries and within the follicles, but not the red pulp?
nodular amyloidosis
89
A type of amyloidosis where the follicles are not involved, the red pulp is and the spleen is greatly enlarged/firm?
diffuse amyloidosis
90
a genetic disorder in which the body lacks an enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats)?
Gaucher's Disease
91
Which type of Gaucher's disease affects babies 2-3 mos?
Type 2
92
Which type of Gaucher's disease is associated with anemia?
Type 1
93
Which type of Gaucher's disease involves skeletal disorders, affects eyes, and breathing?
Type 3
94
What is the most common type of Gaucher's disease?
Type 1
95
a decrease of RBCs within the bloodstream?
anemia
96
the rate of destruction by the spleen is greater than what the bone marrow can compensate for that leads to a decrease in RBCs within the bloodstream?
hemolytic anemia
97
immune system destroys RBCs; secondary to pts suffering from reticuloendothelial conditions such as lymphoma, leukemia, infectious mononucleosis?
autoimmune hemolytic anemia
98
RBCs are formed abnormally due to an abnormal hemoglobin protein that messes with the RBC's ability to carry oxygen?
sickle cell anemia
99
What occurs in acute sickle cell anemia?
pts have an enlarged spleen
100
What occurs in chronic sickle cell anemia?
pts undergo autosplenectomy as the spleen becomes fibrotic and atrophies
101
This occurs when sickle-shaped cells attach to one another and obstruct vascular pathways?
sickle-cell crisis
102
inherited blood disorder that causes your body to have less hemoglobin than normal?
thalassemia
103
This condition is more common in people of African American, Caribbean, Middle East, Mediterranean, and Hispanic descent?
sickle cell anemia
104
hereditary type of anemia common in the Asian and Mediterranean population?
thalassemia
105
congenital condition in which an internal abnormality causes RBCs to have a spherical shape?
congenital spherocytosis
106
the bone marrow produces an excess of RBCs, with an increase in RBC mass and hemoglobin concentration?
polycythemia vera
107
Histoplasmosis and tuberculosis are the most common causes of this pathology?
granulocytopoietic abnormalities (splenic granulomas)
108
What is another name for granulocytopoietic abnormalities?
splenic granulomas
109
Most commonly injured as a result of blunt force trauma to the abdomen?
splenic trauma
110
What are the 2 outcomes of blunt force trauma?
1. capsule is intact and there is subcapsular/intraparenchymal hematoma
2. capsule ruptures and a focal or free intraperitoneal hematoma
111
A "double contour" sign depicts what pathology?
splenic trauma
112
splenic tissue that has been deprived of oxygen and will eventually die?
splenic infarct
113
With splenic trauma, as time passes, the hematoma becomes more ________?
anechoic/sonolucent
114
wedge-shaped hypoechoic spleen tissue indicates what pathology?
splenic infarct
115
the most common benign tumor of the spleen?
hemangioma
116
rare, may be solitary or multiple, and consists of lymphoid tissue or normal splenic tissue
hamartoma
117
This pathology is asymptomatic until it gets big enough to cause splenic rupture or peripheral problems
hemangioma
118
asymptomatic, can have both cystic and solid components, and is generally hyperechoic?
hamartoma
119
very rare primary malignant neoplasm arising from the endothelium?
hemangiosarcoma
120
What helps prevent abscess formation in the spleen?
reticuloendothelial system
121
space of the peritoneum posterior to the stomach?
lesser sac
122
This infection is spread to the spleen from a distant infection OR from an inflammatory process from adjacent organs?
splenic abscess
123
What is the most common site for abscess formation?
splenic portion of the lesser sac
