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Questions and Answers
What is the weight of the normal adult spleen?
What is the weight of the normal adult spleen?
75–250 g
What are the dimensions of the normal adult spleen?
What are the dimensions of the normal adult spleen?
10 × 7 × 3 cm
Where is the spleen located in the body?
Where is the spleen located in the body?
The left hypochondrium
What is the long axis of the spleen aligned with?
What is the long axis of the spleen aligned with?
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What organs is the spleen connected to?
What organs is the spleen connected to?
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The spleen is in contact with the pancreas.
The spleen is in contact with the pancreas.
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What is the name of the notch on the spleen's inferolateral border?
What is the name of the notch on the spleen's inferolateral border?
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What happens when the spleen is enlarged?
What happens when the spleen is enlarged?
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What are the two main branches of the splenic artery?
What are the two main branches of the splenic artery?
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The splenic artery branches into several segmental branches.
The splenic artery branches into several segmental branches.
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From where does the splenic artery originate?
From where does the splenic artery originate?
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What is the path of the splenic artery?
What is the path of the splenic artery?
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What are the two types of branches that the splenic artery gives off?
What are the two types of branches that the splenic artery gives off?
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How is the splenic vein formed?
How is the splenic vein formed?
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The splenic parenchyma consists of ______ and red pulp.
The splenic parenchyma consists of ______ and red pulp.
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What surrounds the splenic parenchyma?
What surrounds the splenic parenchyma?
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What is found in the white pulp of the spleen?
What is found in the white pulp of the spleen?
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What are produced in the lymphatic nodules of the spleen?
What are produced in the lymphatic nodules of the spleen?
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The spleen removes abnormally shaped red blood cells.
The spleen removes abnormally shaped red blood cells.
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What is the overall flow rate of blood through the spleen?
What is the overall flow rate of blood through the spleen?
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What percentage of the body's T lymphocytes are found in the spleen?
What percentage of the body's T lymphocytes are found in the spleen?
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What percentage of the body's B lymphocytes are found in the spleen?
What percentage of the body's B lymphocytes are found in the spleen?
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The spleen is a major site of immunoglobulin (Ig) M production.
The spleen is a major site of immunoglobulin (Ig) M production.
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What type of cells capture cellular and non-cellular material in the spleen?
What type of cells capture cellular and non-cellular material in the spleen?
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The filtering function includes removal of red blood cells.
The filtering function includes removal of red blood cells.
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The spleen removes bacteria.
The spleen removes bacteria.
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What is the reservoir function of the spleen?
What is the reservoir function of the spleen?
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What cells are involved in the cytopoiesis function of the spleen?
What cells are involved in the cytopoiesis function of the spleen?
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What is the most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ?
What is the most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ?
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Splenic rupture should be considered in cases of blunt abdominal trauma.
Splenic rupture should be considered in cases of blunt abdominal trauma.
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Resuscitation is the primary management for blunt trauma.
Resuscitation is the primary management for blunt trauma.
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What is the recommended procedure for severe splenic injury?
What is the recommended procedure for severe splenic injury?
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What are two potential causes of splenic abscess?
What are two potential causes of splenic abscess?
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What can also lead to splenic abscess?
What can also lead to splenic abscess?
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What is the treatment for splenic abscess?
What is the treatment for splenic abscess?
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What is the nature of hereditary spherocytosis?
What is the nature of hereditary spherocytosis?
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What characterizes hereditary spherocytosis?
What characterizes hereditary spherocytosis?
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What is the typical treatment for hereditary spherocytosis?
What is the typical treatment for hereditary spherocytosis?
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What is another name for Thalassaemia?
What is another name for Thalassaemia?
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What is the cause of Thalassaemia?
What is the cause of Thalassaemia?
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What are the three types of Thalassaemia?
What are the three types of Thalassaemia?
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Transfusion/splenectomy is beneficial for patients with Thalassaemia who need frequent blood transfusions.
Transfusion/splenectomy is beneficial for patients with Thalassaemia who need frequent blood transfusions.
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Sickle cell disease is a non-hereditary anemia.
Sickle cell disease is a non-hereditary anemia.
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What is a common feature of sickle cell disease?
What is a common feature of sickle cell disease?
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Study Notes
Spleen Anatomy and Function
- The normal adult spleen weighs 75-250g and measures up to 10 x 7 x 3 cm.
- Located in the left hypochondrium, between the stomach and diaphragm, with its long axis aligned with the 10th rib.
- Connected to the stomach (gastrosplenic ligament) and kidney (splenorenal ligament).
- Contacts the tail of the pancreas.
- The lower pole extends to the midaxillary line.
- A notch on the inferolateral border is palpable only when enlarged.
Spleen Blood Supply and Venous Drainage
- The splenic artery branches into superior and inferior branches. Further subdividing into segmental branches.
- The artery arises from the celiac axis, traversing the upper border of the body and tail of the pancreas.
- It provides small branches to the pancreas and short gastric arteries to the stomach.
- The splenic vein forms from multiple tributaries.
Spleen Physiology
- The splenic parenchyma consists of white and red pulp, surrounded by serosa and collagenous muscle fibers.
- The white pulp is lymphatic tissue containing macrophages.
- Immunoglobulins produced in lymphatic nodules enter the circulation.
- Abnormally shaped red blood cells are removed from circulation.
- The overall blood flow rate is approximately 300 mL/min.
Spleen Functions
- Immune function: Contains 70.5% and 10-15% of the body's T and B lymphocytes respectively. Processes foreign antigens and produces IgM.
- Filter function: Macrophages in the reticulum capture cellular and non-cellular material from blood and plasma, including red blood cells (removal of iron) and bacteria (like pneumococci).
- Reservoir: Stores red blood cell mass.
- Cytopoiesis: Site of proliferation of T and B cells and macrophages.
Spleen Diseases
- Splenic rupture (trauma): Most commonly injured intra-abdominal organ after the liver. Consider rupture in blunt abdominal trauma, especially left upper quadrant. Vigorous resuscitation is key. Splenectomy may be required for severe injury.
- Splenic abscess: Caused by infected splenic emboli, typhoid/paratyphoid fever, osteomyelitis, or puerperal sepsis. Treated with splenectomy.
- Hereditary spherocytosis: Autosomal dominant disorder characterized by spherocytic red blood cells. Treated with splenectomy.
- Thalassemia: Defect in hemoglobin (alpha, beta, gamma). Blood transfusion and splenectomy may help patients requiring frequent transfusions.
- Sickle cell disease: Hereditary anemia. Splenic microinfarcts are common.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the anatomy, blood supply, and physiology of the spleen. This quiz covers its location, structure, and functions, providing a comprehensive overview of this vital organ. Perfect for students studying human anatomy or medical professionals seeking a refresher.
