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Questions and Answers
What type of tissue constitutes the red pulp of the spleen?
What type of tissue constitutes the red pulp of the spleen?
- Lymphatic tissue with lymphocytes
- Fibrous connective tissue
- Blood-filled tissue (correct)
- Adipose tissue
Which of the following arteries supplies blood to the spleen?
Which of the following arteries supplies blood to the spleen?
- Hepatic artery
- Femoral artery
- Splenic artery (correct)
- Renal artery
What is one of the main roles of the spleen in the immune response?
What is one of the main roles of the spleen in the immune response?
- Producing antibodies
- Activating lymphocytes (correct)
- Producing insulin
- Filtering lymphatic fluid
What is splenomegaly?
What is splenomegaly?
How does the spleen contribute to erythropoiesis in adults?
How does the spleen contribute to erythropoiesis in adults?
What is the maximum weight of the thymus gland at puberty?
What is the maximum weight of the thymus gland at puberty?
What structure is NOT connected to the spleen at its hilum?
What structure is NOT connected to the spleen at its hilum?
What happens to the weight of the thymus gland after middle age?
What happens to the weight of the thymus gland after middle age?
Flashcards
What is the spleen?
What is the spleen?
The spleen is a crucial organ located in the abdomen, responsible for filtering blood, storing blood, and supporting the immune system.
How is the spleen structured?
How is the spleen structured?
The spleen is divided into red pulp, rich in blood, and white pulp, full of lymphocytes and macrophages.
What are the main blood vessels connected to the spleen?
What are the main blood vessels connected to the spleen?
The splenic artery brings blood to the spleen, while the splenic vein carries blood away.
What does the spleen do with old red blood cells?
What does the spleen do with old red blood cells?
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How does the spleen help with blood loss?
How does the spleen help with blood loss?
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What role does the spleen play in fighting infections?
What role does the spleen play in fighting infections?
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What is the thymus gland and what does it do?
What is the thymus gland and what does it do?
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How does the thymus gland change with age?
How does the thymus gland change with age?
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Study Notes
Splenic Structure and Function
- The spleen is composed of red pulp and white pulp
- Red pulp contains blood and macrophages
- White pulp is lymphatic tissue with lymphocytes and macrophages
- Splenic artery branches from the coeliac artery
- Splenic vein branches from the portal vein
- Lymph vessels exit the spleen
- Blood flows through sinusoids in the spleen
- Sinusoids allow close association with splenic pulp for function.
Spleen Functions
- Phagocytosis: Removes old/abnormal erythrocytes, and breaks down the products (bilirubin and iron), sent to the liver
- Also phagocytoses other cellular material like bacteria and leukocytes
- Unlike lymph nodes, the spleen doesn't receive lymph
- Blood Storage: Holds up to 350ml of blood, which can quickly return to circulation if needed (e.g., during hemorrhage)
- Immune Response: Activated by antigens (like infection), stimulates lymphocyte proliferation. This can enlarge the spleen in response (splenomegaly).
- Erythropoiesis: An important site for fetal blood cell production; it can also perform this function in adults in times of need.
Thymus Gland
- Located in the upper mediastinum, behind the sternum, and extends into the neck.
- It weighs roughly 10-15g at birth
- Continuously grows, attaining a maximum of 30-40g at puberty
- Atrophy occurs as it returns to its birth weight with middle age.
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