Spleen and the Portal and Venous System Flashcards
What is the largest lymphoid organ in the body?
The spleen
Where is the spleen located in adults?
- Just posterior to stomach
- Against diaphragm
- Between ribs 8(9)-11 on the left side
What are the functions of the spleen?
- Removal of blood-borne antigens
- Removal and destruction of aged or defective blood cells
- Storing blood platelets and RBC
- Haematopoiesis in the fetus (-> 5 months in utero)
What makes the spleen similar to a lymph node but also different in its function?
- Lymph nodes filter the lymph
- Spleen filters the blood
The area over Labbe’s triangle becomes dull on percussion as a result of what?
Splenomegaly
What is the spleen derived from?
Mesoderm
How is the spleen related to the peritoneal cavity?
Intraperitoneal except hilum
What is the spleen related to?
- Colon (left colic flexure)
- Stomach
- Left kidney
What is the spleen surrounded by?
Fibrous capsule from which trabeculae extend inward
What is the superior surface of the spleen like?
Serrated (if you can feel notches likely to be enlarged spleen)
What are the 2 main areas of the spleen?
- Where venous sinuses are
- Pulp
What is the diameter of the average erythrocyte?
8 microns
How large is the distal end of the trabecular meshwork?
3 microns (eryhtrocytes can squezze through it)
What are the 2 sections of the pulp in the spleen?
- White pulp (purple areas) contain WBCs
- Red pulp (surround white pulp and store erythrocytes and removes old ones)
When are the stored RBCs of the spleen released into the bloodstream?
During exercise
What does sympathetic innervation of the spleen result in?
- Causes trabecular meshwork and spleen to contract expelling RBCs into venous sinuses and systemic circulation
What is the end product of perforin?
Bilirubin
What is the spleen connected to the stomach by?
Gastroplenic (gastrolienal) ligament
What does the gastrosplenic ligament contain?
- Left gastroepiploic and short gastric vessels
- May contain accessory spleen
What is the is the spleen connected to the posterior abdominal wall by?
Splenorenal ligament
What does the splenorenal ligament contain?
Splenic vessels and tail of the pancreas