Podcast
Questions and Answers
In which quadrant is the spleen located?
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.
The spleen is located _____ to the kidney.
superior
The spleen is located _______ to the body of the stomach.
The spleen is located _______ to the body of the stomach.
posterior
The spleen is an ___________ organ.
The spleen is an ___________ organ.
The spleen is covered by peritoneum except for the?
The spleen is covered by peritoneum except for the?
A normal spleen's long dimensions should not exceed ________.
A normal spleen's long dimensions should not exceed ________.
In a longitudinal view, how do we measure the spleen?
In a longitudinal view, how do we measure the spleen?
In transverse view what do we measure?
In transverse view what do we measure?
The spleen is a ______ vascular organ.
The spleen is a ______ vascular organ.
What artery feeds the spleen?
What artery feeds the spleen?
The splenic artery divides the spleen into many _______ sections at the hilum.
The splenic artery divides the spleen into many _______ sections at the hilum.
What vein drains the spleen?
What vein drains the spleen?
The spleen is made of ______ and ______ pulp.
The spleen is made of ______ and ______ pulp.
The spleen is part of the reticuloendothelial system, which means it removes:
The spleen is part of the reticuloendothelial system, which means it removes:
What are the four major functions of the spleen?
What are the four major functions of the spleen?
The spleen helps to aid in destruction and removal of microorganisms by means of?
The spleen helps to aid in destruction and removal of microorganisms by means of?
White pulp produces what?
White pulp produces what?
What do the lymphocytes and monocytes from the white pulp help with?
What do the lymphocytes and monocytes from the white pulp help with?
What type of cells produce antibodies to fight pathogens?
What type of cells produce antibodies to fight pathogens?
The spleen goes through a process of hematopoiesis in which erythrocytes or ____________ are produced in a fetus.
The spleen goes through a process of hematopoiesis in which erythrocytes or ____________ are produced in a fetus.
In adults, red blood cells are only produced in the spleen due to extreme _________.
In adults, red blood cells are only produced in the spleen due to extreme _________.
White blood cells or ____________ are made throughout a person's life in the spleen.
White blood cells or ____________ are made throughout a person's life in the spleen.
In the spleen, pitting means:
In the spleen, pitting means:
In the spleen, culling means:
In the spleen, culling means:
Iron is removed and used or transported to the liver via the?
Iron is removed and used or transported to the liver via the?
Why is the spleen able to store red blood cells?
Why is the spleen able to store red blood cells?
Red pulp in the spleen holds a larger volume of blood in the _________ sinuses.
Red pulp in the spleen holds a larger volume of blood in the _________ sinuses.
What happens if the system is storing excessive amounts of blood?
What happens if the system is storing excessive amounts of blood?
The spleen should appear_________(texture).
The spleen should appear_________(texture).
The spleen is isoechoic compared to the _________.
The spleen is isoechoic compared to the _________.
What is the easiest way to scan the spleen?
What is the easiest way to scan the spleen?
If you are scanning in a coronal approach, the patient is in a _______ position.
If you are scanning in a coronal approach, the patient is in a _______ position.
What is identified as a circle of splenic tissue found at the hilum?
What is identified as a circle of splenic tissue found at the hilum?
An accessory spleen may have multiple ______.
An accessory spleen may have multiple ______.
A person born without a spleen:
A person born without a spleen:
Another word for enlarged spleen:
Another word for enlarged spleen:
What do we call an absence or weakness of one or more of the ligaments that holds the spleen in a normal position?
What do we call an absence or weakness of one or more of the ligaments that holds the spleen in a normal position?
What do we call an abnormal decrease in platelets circulating in blood?
What do we call an abnormal decrease in platelets circulating in blood?
What transducer do you use for a spleen exam?
What transducer do you use for a spleen exam?
The spleen is made up primarily of __________ tissue.
The spleen is made up primarily of __________ tissue.
Is the spleen an essential organ?
Is the spleen an essential organ?
________ superior surface.
________ superior surface.
________ inferior surface.
________ inferior surface.
The shape of the spleen can be referred to as:
The shape of the spleen can be referred to as:
Spleen produces:
Spleen produces:
The spleen stores what?
The spleen stores what?
The spleen acts as a ________ reservoir.
The spleen acts as a ________ reservoir.
What cells are activated each time the pathogen is recognized?
What cells are activated each time the pathogen is recognized?
______ blood cells are filtered in the spleen.
______ blood cells are filtered in the spleen.
The ______ can quickly release the blood storage into the circulatory system.
The ______ can quickly release the blood storage into the circulatory system.
Sono appearance of the spleen:
Sono appearance of the spleen:
Spleen may be difficult to see due to:
Spleen may be difficult to see due to:
Lacerated spleens are pretty common; how does this splenic damage occur?
Lacerated spleens are pretty common; how does this splenic damage occur?
What percent of the population has an accessory spleen?
What percent of the population has an accessory spleen?
What is associated with asplenia (no spleen)?
What is associated with asplenia (no spleen)?
Hematocrit:
Hematocrit:
Leukocytosis:
Leukocytosis:
Leukopenia:
Leukopenia:
Thrombocytopenia:
Thrombocytopenia:
Erythrocyte:
Erythrocyte:
Hemoglobin:
Hemoglobin:
Largest axial measurement (anterior-posterior) should be no larger than:
Largest axial measurement (anterior-posterior) should be no larger than:
The splenic artery arises from the _________ of the abdominal aorta and travels laterally towards the left to supply the spleen.
The splenic artery arises from the _________ of the abdominal aorta and travels laterally towards the left to supply the spleen.
Lobular arteries tend to become more _______ in older patients.
Lobular arteries tend to become more _______ in older patients.
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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.
Blood Parameters Related to Spleen Function
- 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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