Spleen Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

In which quadrant is the spleen located?

  • Right upper quadrant
  • Right lower quadrant
  • Left upper quadrant (correct)
  • Left lower quadrant
  • The spleen is located _____ to the kidney.

    superior

    The spleen is located _______ to the body of the stomach.

    posterior

    The spleen is an ___________ organ.

    <p>intraperitoneal organ</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen is covered by peritoneum except for the?

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

    A normal spleen's long dimensions should not exceed ________.

    <p>13 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a longitudinal view, how do we measure the spleen?

    <p>length and width</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In transverse view what do we measure?

    <p>the depth of the spleen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen is a ______ vascular organ.

    <p>hyper</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What artery feeds the spleen?

    <p>splenic artery</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The splenic artery divides the spleen into many _______ sections at the hilum.

    <p>lobar</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What vein drains the spleen?

    <p>splenic vein</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen is made of ______ and ______ pulp.

    <p>red and white</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen is part of the reticuloendothelial system, which means it removes:

    <p>old cells, debris, pathogens, or foreign substances from blood.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the four major functions of the spleen?

    <p>Defense (macrophage), Hematopoiesis, red blood cell and platelet destroyer, and blood reservoir.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen helps to aid in destruction and removal of microorganisms by means of?

    <p>phagocytosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    White pulp produces what?

    <p>lymphocytes and monocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do the lymphocytes and monocytes from the white pulp help with?

    <p>to ingest and digest harmful pathogens.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cells produce antibodies to fight pathogens?

    <p>plasma cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen goes through a process of hematopoiesis in which erythrocytes or ____________ are produced in a fetus.

    <p>red blood cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In adults, red blood cells are only produced in the spleen due to extreme _________.

    <p>anemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    White blood cells or ____________ are made throughout a person's life in the spleen.

    <p>leukocytes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the spleen, pitting means:

    <p>pulling nuclei from cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the spleen, culling means:

    <p>removal of bad red blood cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Iron is removed and used or transported to the liver via the?

    <p>portal vein</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the spleen able to store red blood cells?

    <p>because of its smooth muscle content</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Red pulp in the spleen holds a larger volume of blood in the _________ sinuses.

    <p>venous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens if the system is storing excessive amounts of blood?

    <p>The spleen may become enlarged - splenomegaly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen should appear_________(texture).

    <p>homogenous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen is isoechoic compared to the _________.

    <p>liver</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the easiest way to scan the spleen?

    <p>in coronal approach</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If you are scanning in a coronal approach, the patient is in a _______ position.

    <p>decub</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is identified as a circle of splenic tissue found at the hilum?

    <p>accessory spleen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An accessory spleen may have multiple ______.

    <p>islands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A person born without a spleen:

    <p>asplenia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Another word for enlarged spleen:

    <p>splenomegaly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do we call an absence or weakness of one or more of the ligaments that holds the spleen in a normal position?

    <p>wandering spleen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do we call an abnormal decrease in platelets circulating in blood?

    <p>thrombocytopenia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What transducer do you use for a spleen exam?

    <p>4-6 Mhz curved</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen is made up primarily of __________ tissue.

    <p>lymphatic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Is the spleen an essential organ?

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ________ superior surface.

    <p>convex</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ________ inferior surface.

    <p>concave</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The shape of the spleen can be referred to as:

    <p>crescent moon shape</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Spleen produces:

    <p>lymphocytes, monocytes, plasma cells, and antibodies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen stores what?

    <p>iron</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The spleen acts as a ________ reservoir.

    <p>blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What cells are activated each time the pathogen is recognized?

    <p>memory cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    ______ blood cells are filtered in the spleen.

    <p>red</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ can quickly release the blood storage into the circulatory system.

    <p>sinuses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sono appearance of the spleen:

    <p>homogenous, medium gray or medium echotexture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Spleen may be difficult to see due to:

    <p>ribs and gas from overlying bowel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lacerated spleens are pretty common; how does this splenic damage occur?

    <p>blunt trauma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percent of the population has an accessory spleen?

    <p>10%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is associated with asplenia (no spleen)?

    <p>congenital heart defects and liver may be prominent if no spleen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hematocrit:

    <p>% of red blood cells per blood volume</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Leukocytosis:

    <p>increase in white blood cells circulating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Leukopenia:

    <p>decrease or low white blood cells circulating</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Thrombocytopenia:

    <p>abnormal decrease in platelets circulating in blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Erythrocyte:

    <p>red blood cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hemoglobin:

    <p>oxygen-carrying and iron-containing pigment of red blood cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Largest axial measurement (anterior-posterior) should be no larger than:

    <p>8 cm</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The splenic artery arises from the _________ of the abdominal aorta and travels laterally towards the left to supply the spleen.

    <p>celiac axis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Lobular arteries tend to become more _______ in older patients.

    <p>tortuous</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Spleen Anatomy and Physiology

    • The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
    • Positioned superior to the kidney and posterior to the body of the stomach.
    • Classified as an intraperitoneal organ with coverage by peritoneum except at the hilum.
    • Normal spleen size should not exceed 13 cm in length.
    • In longitudinal imaging, measure length and width, while depth is measured in transverse view.

    Spleen Vascular and Structural Characteristics

    • The spleen is a hypervascular organ, receiving blood supply from the splenic artery.
    • The splenic artery divides the spleen into lobar sections at the hilum, while the splenic vein is responsible for drainage.
    • Composed of red pulp and white pulp, playing essential roles in immune function and blood filtration.

    Functions of the Spleen

    • Major functions include defense (via macrophages), hematopoiesis, destruction of red blood cells and platelets, and serving as a blood reservoir.
    • Phagocytosis aids in the removal of microorganisms from circulation.
    • White pulp produces lymphocytes and monocytes essential for immune response.

    Hematopoiesis and Blood Cell Dynamics

    • In a fetus, the spleen produces red blood cells; in adults, hematopoiesis primarily occurs only under conditions like severe anemia.
    • Leukocytes (white blood cells) are continuously produced in the spleen throughout life.
    • Pitting refers to the process of pulling nuclei from red blood cells, while culling is the removal of defective red blood cells.

    Iron Metabolism and Storage

    • Iron recycled from red blood cells is transported to the liver via the portal vein.
    • The spleen's smooth muscle content allows it to store red blood cells, particularly during instances of excess blood volume.
    • Splenomegaly indicates spleen enlargement due to excessive blood storage.

    Imaging and Examination

    • A homogenous texture is typical for a healthy spleen, appearing isoechoic in relation to the liver.
    • Preferred scanning technique involves a coronal approach with the patient in a decubitus position for optimal visualization.

    Anomalies and Conditions

    • Accessory spleens can form at the hilum, and asplenia refers to the absence of a spleen, which can correlate with congenital heart defects.
    • Splenomegaly describes an enlarged spleen, while wandering spleen refers to a displaced organ due to ligament weaknesses.
    • Common splenic injuries occur from blunt trauma.
    • Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in blood volume.
    • Leukocytosis refers to an increase in circulating white blood cells, while leukopenia indicates a decrease.
    • Thrombocytopenia denotes an abnormal drop in platelet count.

    Key Terms

    • Erythrocyte: another term for red blood cell.
    • Hemoglobin: the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
    • The largest axial measurement of the spleen should not be greater than 8 cm.

    Additional Spleen Characteristics

    • The splenic artery originates from the celiac axis of the abdominal aorta.
    • Lobular arteries tend to become more tortuous in older individuals, influencing spleen blood flow dynamics.

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    Description

    This quiz focuses on the anatomical and physiological aspects of the spleen. It covers its location relative to other organs and its classification as an intraperitoneal organ. Perfect for students studying human anatomy and physiology.

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