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Questions and Answers
What is the spleen?
What is the spleen?
A large encapsulated mass of vascular and lymphoid tissue situated in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm.
Where is the spleen located?
Where is the spleen located?
In the left, upper, posterior region of the left hypochondrium.
What is the approximate length of the spleen's long axis?
What is the approximate length of the spleen's long axis?
The tenth rib.
How far is the spleen's posterior border from the mid-dorsal line at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebral spine?
How far is the spleen's posterior border from the mid-dorsal line at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebral spine?
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What is the texture of the spleen in a living individual?
What is the texture of the spleen in a living individual?
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What is the typical color of the living spleen, and what does this coloration indicate?
What is the typical color of the living spleen, and what does this coloration indicate?
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The size and weight of the spleen are consistent across all ages and genders.
The size and weight of the spleen are consistent across all ages and genders.
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What is the typical size of the spleen in an adult?
What is the typical size of the spleen in an adult?
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What is the average weight of the spleen in an adult?
What is the average weight of the spleen in an adult?
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A normal spleen can be easily felt by palpation.
A normal spleen can be easily felt by palpation.
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How much larger than its normal size must the spleen be before it can be palpated?
How much larger than its normal size must the spleen be before it can be palpated?
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What are the main functions of the spleen?
What are the main functions of the spleen?
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The spleen is essential for survival.
The spleen is essential for survival.
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What surrounds the spleen?
What surrounds the spleen?
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What separates the spleen from the stomach and left kidney?
What separates the spleen from the stomach and left kidney?
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Which of the following ligaments connect the spleen to the posterior abdominal wall?
Which of the following ligaments connect the spleen to the posterior abdominal wall?
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Which ligament connects the spleen to the stomach?
Which ligament connects the spleen to the stomach?
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Describe the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen.
Describe the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen.
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Describe the visceral surface of the spleen.
Describe the visceral surface of the spleen.
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The inferior border of the spleen is the location of the hilum, where vessels and nerves enter and exit.
The inferior border of the spleen is the location of the hilum, where vessels and nerves enter and exit.
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What is the external covering of the spleen made of?
What is the external covering of the spleen made of?
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What are the two main tissues supported by trabeculae in the spleen?
What are the two main tissues supported by trabeculae in the spleen?
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Accessory spleens are only found in children and not adults.
Accessory spleens are only found in children and not adults.
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Accessory spleens are always connected to the main spleen.
Accessory spleens are always connected to the main spleen.
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Accessory spleens may be multiple and small in size.
Accessory spleens may be multiple and small in size.
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What are the segmental branches of the splenic artery responsible for supplying?
What are the segmental branches of the splenic artery responsible for supplying?
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What is the main route of blood drainage from the spleen?
What is the main route of blood drainage from the spleen?
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Where do the minor veins in the spleen originate?
Where do the minor veins in the spleen originate?
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Where do the minor veins in the spleen drain into?
Where do the minor veins in the spleen drain into?
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What lymphatic vessels are involved in drainage from the spleen?
What lymphatic vessels are involved in drainage from the spleen?
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Where do the lymphatic vessels in the spleen exit?
Where do the lymphatic vessels in the spleen exit?
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Where is the celiac plexus located, and to what does it distribute?
Where is the celiac plexus located, and to what does it distribute?
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What is the primary function of the celiac plexus?
What is the primary function of the celiac plexus?
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What two nerve systems are involved in regulating blood flow in the spleen?
What two nerve systems are involved in regulating blood flow in the spleen?
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The spleen can be easily repaired through direct sutured techniques.
The spleen can be easily repaired through direct sutured techniques.
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What are the reasons for surgical removal of the spleen, or splenectomy?
What are the reasons for surgical removal of the spleen, or splenectomy?
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What type of trauma commonly affects the spleen?
What type of trauma commonly affects the spleen?
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Minor capsular tears in the spleen are always serious and require splenectomy.
Minor capsular tears in the spleen are always serious and require splenectomy.
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Only trauma can cause splenic injuries.
Only trauma can cause splenic injuries.
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Study Notes
Spleen Anatomy and Function
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Structure: A large encapsulated mass of vascular and lymphoid tissue, positioned in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, situated between the stomach's fundus and the diaphragm. Located in the left, upper, posterior region of the left hypocondrium. Its long axis roughly aligns with the plane of the tenth rib, and its posterior border is about 4 cm from the mid-dorsal line at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebral spine.
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Appearance in the living: Soft, fragile, and dark purple, its hue varying depending on the amount of blood present.
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Size and Weight: Size and weight vary with age and sex, and slightly within the same individual under different conditions. Typically 12 cm long, 7 cm broad, and 3-4 cm wide. An average adult spleen weighs 150 grams (80-300 grams). A normal spleen is not palpable until it is at least three times its normal size..
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Connections and Coverings: Covered by peritoneum (firmly attached). Recesses of the greater sac separate it from the stomach and left kidney. Connected to the posterior abdominal wall via lienorenal, phrenicocolic, and phrenicosplenic ligaments, and the stomach via gastrosplenic ligament.
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Internal Structure: Internally, the spleen is composed of trabeculae, connective tissue bars providing a fibrous skeleton, supporting white (lymphoid) and red (blood-filled) pulp tissues.
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Variations: Accessory spleens, usually located within the gastrosplenic ligament and greater omentum, appearing as small encapsulated nodules of splenic tissue, sometimes isolated, or connected to the main spleen by bands. It might maintain its fetal lobulated form and show deep notches on the diaphragmatic surface and inferior border.
Splenic Arterial Supply
- Splenic artery: Segmental branches of the splenic artery supply the splenic segments.
Splenic Venous Drainage
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Minor Veins: Drain blood from the red pulp into trabeculae then into segmental veins.
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Segmental Veins: These veins drain into the splenic vein.
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Splenic Vein: Drains into the portal vein. The splenic vein, along with the superior mesenteric vein, also joins with other systemic veins to drain into the portal vein.
Splenic Lymphatics
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Drainage of lymph nodes in the hilum.
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Drainage to pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes.
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Drainage to celiac lymph nodes.
Innervation
- Celiac Plexus: Its branches follow the course of the splenic artery and are involved in vasomotor function and regulating blood flow. Parasympathetic (Vagus) and sympathetic (Greater splanchnic) innervation is involved in regulation of blood flow.
Splenic Trauma
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Prone to Injury: The spleen is vulnerable to injury, particularly during rapid deceleration or compression, due to its mobile peritoneal connections. Tearing injuries to splenic vessels, or rupture of the splenic pulp at the hilum may occur.
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Management: Minor capsular tears from blunt trauma can often be treated conservatively. More extensive tears might require direct suture repair, but extensive burst injuries or major hilar injuries often require surgical removal (splenectomy).
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Description
This quiz delves into the anatomy and function of the spleen. It covers its structure, appearance, size, weight, and connections within the human body. Test your knowledge on the spleen's role and characteristics!
