The Spleen Flashcards
1
Q
-Describe the histology of the spleen
A
- Two types of tissue within a capsule
- White pulp: Made of lymphoid follicles
- Red pulp:
- Consists of splenic cords
- It contains mononuclear-phagocyte tissue
2
Q
-Describe the functional unit of the spleen
A
- Main route of blood through spleen
- Inflow from artery
- Perifollicular zone
- Sinus of endothelial cells and basal fibers
- Post-sinusal venule
- Outflow to vein
- Alternate route:
- Inflow from artery
- Cords of the red pulp
- Slow, open circulation
- Flow into sinus
- Post-sinusal venule
- Outflow to vein
3
Q
Infectious causes of splenomegaly? (3)
A
- Visceral Leishamaniasis
- Malaria
- Viruses (Glandular fever)
4
Q
Haematological causes of splenomegaly? (3)
A
- Literally anything lol
- Thalassaemia
- Haemolytic anaemia
- Sickle cell disease(s)
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms
- Lymphomas
- Acute leukaemia, etc.
5
Q
-Indications of splenectomy? (3)
A
- Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Hereditary Spherocytosis
- Lymphomas
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms
- Thalassaemia intermedia
6
Q
Complications of splenectomy?
A
- Bleeding
- Early infections
- Thrombocytosis due to increased platelet count (7-12 days)
- Thromboembolism
7
Q
-Haematological features of hyposplenism?
A
- Thrombocytosis
- Leucocytosis
- Lymphocytosis
- Increased reticulocyte count
- Morphology: Howell-Jolly bodies, Heinz bodies, siderocytes, target cells
8
Q
What are the main functions of the spleen?
A
(White pulp)
-Lymphoid follicles act as a reservoir of T and B cells
-Important in antibody production
(Red pulp)
-Filtration of the blood and phagocytosis to remove damaged, abnormal RBCs
-Reservoir of platelets
-Synthesisesn FVII and complement
9
Q
Other than in splenectomy, how may someone develop hyposplenism?
A
- SCD
- Coeliac
- Hereditary spherocytosis
