Spleen Review Flashcards
The average volume of the adult spleen is
200 mL
The removal of nuclei from old red blood cells without damage to the cells is called
pitting
What is the most common sonographically visualized abnormality of the spleen
Splenomegaly
The component of the spleen that is responsible for the immune functions is
White pulp
The spleen is considered enlarged when it’s length is greater than what measurement?
13 cm
Splenic calcifications usually result from
Granulomatous
The removal of abnormal blood cells is called
culling
During an exam of the spleen a hypoechoic wedge shaped lesion is seen in the spleen. What is this typical of?
Splenic infarct
Tissue death caused by an interruption of the blood supply
Infarct
Decreased white blood cell count, possibly the result of viral infection or leukemia
Leukopenia
Red blood cell; contains hemoglobin
Erythrocyte
Elevated whit blood cell count, usually due to infection
Leukocytosis
White blood cell; protects and fights against infection in the body
Leukocyte
Process used by the red pulp to destroy old red blood cells
Phagocytosis
Enlarged spleen
Splenomegaly
Laboratory value of the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells
Hematocrit
Process of red blood cell production
Erythrocyte
The splenic artery arises from
the celiac artery
A wandering spleen is at an increased risk of acquiring _______________
Torsion and infarction
_____________ is responsible for the removal of worn out red blood cells
Red pulp
Leukocytosis is the typical response to
Bacterial infection
What is leukopenia
A decrease in leukocytes, frequently a side effect of chemotherapy
What is the normal echogenicity of the spleen
isoechoic to the liver
What is the most common sonographically visualized abnormality of the spleen
splenomegaly
What is the most common cause of splenomegaly
portal hypertension
___________ ___________ ______________ may cause a small shrunken spleen
Sickle cell anemia
Sonographically what is the splenic echogenicity when splenomegaly occurs?
Could be hyperechoic or hypoechoic but does not correlate with the cause of the enlargement
While scanning the spleen, you notice multiple enlarged tortuous vessels in the splenic hilum. Color doppler confirms that they are vascular in nature. Dilated vessels are also noted within the splenic parenchyma. What is the most likely cause of these findings?
Portal hypertension with collateral vessels
A patient with sickle cell disease presents for an abdominal sonogram complaining of recent left upper quadrant pain. A hypoechoic wedge shaped lesion is seen in the spleen. What is this typical of?
Splenic infarct
The spleen is located in the __________ cavity and is covered y peritoneum except at the ______________
peritoneal
splenic hilum
_____________________ is a very rare condition that leads to a congenital absence of the spleen
Asplenia
The removal of defective and worn-out red blood cells occurs in the cords of ___________________
billroth
The most common malignant disease that effects the spleen is
Lymphoma
The most common benign vascular lesion of the spleen is the
hemangioma
What projects from the splenic capsule and divides the spleen into several compartments?
Traeculae
What anatomy is located on the anterior border of the spleen?
Stomach
In the spleen, which structure is made up of lymph tissues arranged around splenic arteriole?
White pulp
What is the spleens function in the embryological stage of development?
Hematopoiesis
What is the principle site of filtration within the spleen?
Red pulp
What splenic function removes iron and other substances from erythrocytes?
Pitting
Which patient position is best for scanning the normal adult spleen?
Right lateral decubitus
What ligament attaches the spleen to the greater curvature of the stomach
Gastrosplenic
What term describes the echogenicity of the normal splenic parenchyma when compared to the liver?
Heterogeneous
What is the normal sonographic appearance of the spleen?
Homogenous
Leukopenia may result from what condition?
Anaphylactic shock
What process contributes to an acquired aplasia and hypoplasia?
Repeated infarction
What sinusoid function removes imperfect red blood cells?
Macrophage
What function requires B cells and T cells?
Immunology
What splenic function removes senescent, defective red blood cells?
Culling
What is the normal anatomic location of the spleen
Peritoneal cavity
What is considered a relatively common anatomic variant of the spleen
Acccessory spleen
The spleen is more susceptible to what pathology when there are no adequate anastomoses between the arteries in the spleen
Infarction
What may be the etiology of anemia?
Hypersplenism
What is the splenic shape or appearance on transverse sections?
Crescentic
What is the likely explanation for a large palpable left upper quadrant mass seen on a patient with leukocytosis?
Splenomegaly
