Spleen Flashcards
2 functions of spleen
- Blood filter- removes and breaks down old red blood cells
2. Cell-mediated and humoral immune response
What things which may cause splenomegaly?
- Infections
- Cancer e.g. leukaemia
- Inflammatory diseases
- Trauma
Is the spleen intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?
Intraperitoneal (except at splenic hilum)
What connects the spleen to the greater curvature of the stomach and left kidney?
Greater omentum
What connects the spleen to the greater curvature of stomach?
Gastrosplenic ligament
What connects the spleen to the left kidney?
Splenorenal ligament
Which ligament contains the splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas?
Splenorenal ligament
Between the gastrosplenic and splenorenal ligament lies what?
Lesser sac
Name the 2 surfaces of the outer surface of spleen?
- Diaphragmatic surface
2. Visceral surface
The 4 anatomical borders of the spleen are?
Anterior
Superior
Posteriomedial
Inferior
Which two borders of the spleen are smooth?
Posteriomedial
Inferior
Which two borders of the spleen contain notches?
Anterior
Superior
The name of the 2 pulps are?
White pulp
Red pulp
Which pulp is more prevalent?
Red (80%)
Has blood-filled cavities and sinusoids which act as the blood filter
Red pulp
Lymphoid and immune response
White pulp (within red pulp?
Arterial supply of spleen
Splenic artery
Splenic artery runs in what ligament?
Splenorenal ligament
Where is the splenic artery derived from?
Coeliac trunk
Venous drainage of spleen
Splenic vein
Which two veins unite to form the hepatic portal vein?
Splenic vein
Superior mesenteric vein
Innervation of spleen
Coeliac plexus
Lymphatic drainage of spleen
Splenic lymphatic vessels–> coeliac lymph nodes
How many vessels does the splenic artery divide into when it reaches the spleen?
5
Why does the spleen has vascular segments which mean that surgeons can remove one segment without affecting the others?
5 vessel branches of the splenic artery do not anastomose with each other
