Spleen Flashcards
what is the spleen HCT level compared to the rest of the body
high!
what is the function of the spleen
phagocytic
immunologic
RBC and platelet storage
what does a sinus consist of?
endothelium with fenestrated basement membranes
what is unique about sinuses in cats?
they are highly fenestrated = poor pitting function = howell jolly bodies and heinz bodies
when does splenic contraction occur?
with epinephrine or sympathetic nerve stimulation
which 3 animals store a lot of blood in the spleen?
dog, pig, horse
why does HCT go up immediately after a blood draw?
because the spleen contracts and raises HCT because it has a higher PCV than the rest of the body
what do RBCs have to do to enter a splenic sinus?
it has to bend (not in cats). a rigid inclusion breaks up and cell membrane has to reform after going through the sinus
why do RBCs not have to bend to enter splenic sinuses in cats?
Sinus in cats is fenestrated and RBCs can easily fit through
