Spleen Anatomy and Function
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Questions and Answers

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?

In the left, upper, posterior region of the left hypochondrium.

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?

<p>Approximately 4 cm.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the texture of the spleen in a living individual?

<p>Friable (B), Soft (G)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical color of the living spleen, and what does this coloration indicate?

<p>Dark purple, which signifies its high content of blood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The size and weight of the spleen are consistent across all ages and genders.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical size of the spleen in an adult?

<p>It is usually 12 cm long, 7 cm broad, and 3-4 cm wide.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average weight of the spleen in an adult?

<p>Approximately 150 grams (80-300 grams).</p> Signup and view all the answers

A normal spleen can be easily felt by palpation.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much larger than its normal size must the spleen be before it can be palpated?

<p>At least three times its normal size.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the main functions of the spleen?

<p>Removal of aging erythrocytes from circulation, provision of lymphocytes and antibodies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The spleen is essential for survival.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What surrounds the spleen?

<p>Peritoneum, a membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What separates the spleen from the stomach and left kidney?

<p>Recesses of the greater sac, which are inward folds within the peritoneal cavity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ligaments connect the spleen to the posterior abdominal wall?

<p>Phrenicocolic Ligament (A), Phrenicosplenic Ligament (B), Lienorenal Ligament (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which ligament connects the spleen to the stomach?

<p>Gastrosplenic Ligament (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen.

<p>Superolateral, convex, and smooth.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the visceral surface of the spleen.

<p>Inferomedial, irregular, and marked by gastric, renal, pancreatic, and colic impressions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The inferior border of the spleen is the location of the hilum, where vessels and nerves enter and exit.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the external covering of the spleen made of?

<p>Connective tissue, specifically trabeculae (bars) which create a fibrous skeleton.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main tissues supported by trabeculae in the spleen?

<p>Lymphoid tissue (white pulp) and blood-filled tissue (red pulp).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Accessory spleens are only found in children and not adults.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Accessory spleens are always connected to the main spleen.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Accessory spleens may be multiple and small in size.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the segmental branches of the splenic artery responsible for supplying?

<p>Splenic segments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main route of blood drainage from the spleen?

<p>Blood drains from the spleen through the splenic vein.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the minor veins in the spleen originate?

<p>They originate in the red pulp.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the minor veins in the spleen drain into?

<p>They drain into segmental veins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What lymphatic vessels are involved in drainage from the spleen?

<p>The splenic lymph drains to the pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes and the celiac lymph nodes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the lymphatic vessels in the spleen exit?

<p>Through the hilum.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the celiac plexus located, and to what does it distribute?

<p>It is located along the branches of the splenic artery and distributes along the splenic artery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the celiac plexus?

<p>It acts as a vasomotor, regulating blood flow in the spleen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What two nerve systems are involved in regulating blood flow in the spleen?

<p>The parasympathetic system (mediated by the vagus nerve) and the sympathetic system (mediated by the greater splanchnic nerves).</p> Signup and view all the answers

The spleen can be easily repaired through direct sutured techniques.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the reasons for surgical removal of the spleen, or splenectomy?

<p>Extensive burst injuries or significant damage to the splenic vessels, especially the hilar vessels, often necessitate splenectomy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of trauma commonly affects the spleen?

<p>Rotational injury during rapid deceleration or compression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Minor capsular tears in the spleen are always serious and require splenectomy.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Only trauma can cause splenic injuries.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Spleen

A large, soft, encapsulated organ composed of vascular and lymphoid tissues. It sits in the upper left quadrant of the abdominal cavity, between the stomach and diaphragm.

Spleen Location

The spleen lies primarily in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, specifically in the posterior region of the left hypochondrium.

Spleen Orientation

The long axis of the spleen generally aligns with the plane of the tenth rib.

Spleen Posterior Distance

The spleen's posterior border is approximately 4 centimeters from the midpoint of the back at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebral spine.

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Spleen Size & Weight

The spleen's size and weight can vary based on age, sex, and even individual conditions.

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Spleen Dimensions

A normal adult spleen is around 12 cm long, 7 cm wide, and 3–4 cm thick, weighing about 150 grams on average.

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Spleen Palpation

The spleen's size needs to be at least three times its normal size to be felt during a physical exam.

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Spleen: Red Blood Cell Removal

One of the primary functions of the spleen is to filter out old and damaged red blood cells from circulation.

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Spleen: Lymphocyte Production

The spleen plays a key role in producing and storing lymphocytes and antibodies, crucial components of the immune system.

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Spleen: Non-Essential

While important for overall health, the spleen isn't essential for survival. The body can compensate for its loss.

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Spleen: Peritoneum

The spleen is completely covered by peritoneum, which adheres firmly to its capsule.

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Spleen: Peritoneal Recesses

Recesses of the peritoneal cavity separate the spleen from the stomach and left kidney.

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Spleen: Posterior Wall Connections

The spleen connects to the posterior abdominal wall via the lienorenal ligament, phrenicocolic ligament, and phrenicosplenic ligament.

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Spleen: Stomach Connection

The spleen connects to the stomach via the gastrosplenic ligament.

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Lienorenal Ligament

The lienorenal ligament contains the splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas.

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Gastrosplenic Ligament

The gastrosplenic ligament contains the short gastric artery and the left gastroepiploic artery.

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Spleen: Diaphragmatic Surface

The diaphragmatic surface of the spleen is superolateral, convex, and smooth.

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Spleen: Visceral Surface

The visceral surface of the spleen is inferomedial, irregular, and marked by impressions from neighboring organs.

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Spleen: Visceral Impressions

The visceral surface has imprints from the stomach, kidney, pancreas, and colon, showcasing the close proximity of these organs.

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Spleen: External Features

The spleen has a superior border, inferior border, anterior extremity, posterior extremity, and hilum.

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Spleen: Visceral Surface

The visceral surface of the spleen faces the abdominal cavity and includes impressions from different organs.

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Spleen: Gastric Impression

The gastric impression is a mark on the visceral surface where the stomach touches the spleen.

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Spleen: Renal Impression

The renal impression on the visceral surface is made by the left kidney.

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Spleen: Pancreatic Impression

The pancreatic impression, located near the splenic hilum, is formed by the tail of the pancreas.

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Spleen: Colic Impression

The colic impression on the visceral surface is made by the left colic flexure.

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Spleen: Hilum

The hillum of the spleen is located near the inferior limit of the visceral surface where blood vessels and nerves enter and exit the organ.

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Spleen: Internal Structure

The spleen's internal structure is supported by a network of connective tissue bars called trabeculae.

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Spleen: Trabeculae Function

The trabeculae branch out, forming a fibrous skeleton for the spleen.

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Trabeculae: Support of Tissues

The trabeculae support both the lymphoid tissue (white pulp) and the blood-filled tissue (red pulp) of the spleen.

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Spleen: Accessory Spleens

Accessory spleens, small nodules of splenic tissue, are sometimes found near the spleen, especially within the gastrosplenic ligament and greater omentum.

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Spleen: Arteries

The spleen's arteries, specifically branches of the splenic artery, deliver oxygenated blood to the organ.

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Spleen: Veins

The spleen's veins collect deoxygenated blood from the organ and eventually drain into the portal vein.

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Spleen: Lymph Vessels

The spleen's lymph vessels drain into the pancreaticosplenic and coeliac lymph nodes.

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Spleen: Nerves

The spleen's nerves, primarily from the celiac plexus, regulate blood flow and are responsible for vasomotor functions.

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Study Notes

Spleen Anatomy and Function

  • 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.

  • Appearance in the living: Soft, fragile, and dark purple, its hue varying depending on the amount of blood present.

  • 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..

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Minor Veins: Drain blood from the red pulp into trabeculae then into segmental veins.

  • Segmental Veins: These veins drain into the splenic vein.

  • 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

  • Drainage of lymph nodes in the hilum.

  • Drainage to pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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!

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