SPLEEN Flashcards
Where is the spleen located?
in the left upper quadrant and the left hypochondrium
is it covered in peritoneum?
it is entirely covered by visceral peritonuem except at the hilum where the splenic branches of the splenic artery and vein enter and leave
what is the function of the spleen?
it contains red pulp which recieves large amounts of blood and is arranged in sinusoids. Haem is recycled here and red blood cells are broken down. It also contains white pulp which has compartments with lypmhocytes that recognise and remove pathogens.
stores blood cells and platelets and can provide some degree of self transfusion in the even of a haemorrhage
what can be palpated in splenomegaly?
the superior notch, when the person take a deep breath in and out
what are the anterior relations of the spleen?
stomach - gastrosplenic ligament
what are the posterior relations of the spleen?
left part of the diaphragm which seperates it from the pleura and lungs
what are the inferior relations?
the left colic flexure
what are the medial relations?
he left kidney - attached by the splenorenal ligament
what is the arterial supply to the spleen?
splenic artery - follows long tortuous course anterior to the left kidney and along the superior border of the pancreas - between the layers of the splenorenal ligamnet it divides into five vascular branches that enter the hilum and supply different vascular segments
what is the venous drainage of the spleen?
splenic vein - formed by several tributaries that emerge from the hilum.
