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Questions and Answers
Which anatomical structures are located superiorly and posteriorly to the spleen?
Which anatomical structures are located superiorly and posteriorly to the spleen?
- Diaphragm (correct)
- Left colic flexure
- Pancreas
- Fundus of the stomach
Which of the following describes the structure of the spleen?
Which of the following describes the structure of the spleen?
- Encapsulated by a fibroelastic capsule with trabeculae extending inward, containing red and white pulp. (correct)
- Composed of solely lymphatic tissue with afferent lymphatic vessels.
- Consisting of multiple lobules divided by connective tissue septa.
- Characterized by a cortex and medulla, similar to lymph nodes.
What is the primary mechanism by which the spleen filters blood?
What is the primary mechanism by which the spleen filters blood?
- Afferent lymphatic vessels
- Specialized capillaries
- Direct filtration through the splenic capsule
- Sinusoids with pores between endothelial cells (correct)
What immunological function does the spleen perform?
What immunological function does the spleen perform?
Under what physiological condition might the spleen rapidly release stored blood into the circulation?
Under what physiological condition might the spleen rapidly release stored blood into the circulation?
Which of these is a unique characteristic of the spleen compared to lymph nodes?
Which of these is a unique characteristic of the spleen compared to lymph nodes?
How does the spleen contribute to the breakdown of red blood cells?
How does the spleen contribute to the breakdown of red blood cells?
Which of the following describes the location of the thymus gland?
Which of the following describes the location of the thymus gland?
What is the main function of the thymus gland?
What is the main function of the thymus gland?
What process is facilitated by the thymus gland to ensure T-lymphocytes do not attack the body's own tissues?
What process is facilitated by the thymus gland to ensure T-lymphocytes do not attack the body's own tissues?
What hormone is secreted by the thymus gland?
What hormone is secreted by the thymus gland?
How does the thymus change throughout the lifespan?
How does the thymus change throughout the lifespan?
Which structures are located anteriorly to the thymus?
Which structures are located anteriorly to the thymus?
What is the role of epithelial cells within the thymus?
What is the role of epithelial cells within the thymus?
Where do T-lymphocytes originate before migrating to the thymus for maturation?
Where do T-lymphocytes originate before migrating to the thymus for maturation?
What part of the mouth and pharynx are the palatine tonsils located?
What part of the mouth and pharynx are the palatine tonsils located?
What does the term 'tonsillectomy' refer to?
What does the term 'tonsillectomy' refer to?
Where are the lingual tonsils located?
Where are the lingual tonsils located?
What is the main reason for performing a tonsillectomy?
What is the main reason for performing a tonsillectomy?
What is the average weight of a healthy adult spleen?
What is the average weight of a healthy adult spleen?
Which artery supplies blood to the spleen?
Which artery supplies blood to the spleen?
Which vein drains blood from the spleen?
Which vein drains blood from the spleen?
What is the hilum of the spleen?
What is the hilum of the spleen?
What is the splenic pulp primarily composed of?
What is the splenic pulp primarily composed of?
What is the significance of the pores in the sinusoids of the spleen?
What is the significance of the pores in the sinusoids of the spleen?
What is the term for enlargement of the spleen?
What is the term for enlargement of the spleen?
How does sympathetic stimulation affect the spleen?
How does sympathetic stimulation affect the spleen?
In what situation might the spleen resume its fetal role of blood cell production in adults?
In what situation might the spleen resume its fetal role of blood cell production in adults?
What is the approxiamte size of the spleen?
What is the approxiamte size of the spleen?
Which of the following cannot enter the spleen?
Which of the following cannot enter the spleen?
The spleen is located in which region of the abdominal cavity?
The spleen is located in which region of the abdominal cavity?
Which process involves the destruction of old and abnormal erythrocytes?
Which process involves the destruction of old and abnormal erythrocytes?
Which vitamin can bilirubin be broken down into?
Which vitamin can bilirubin be broken down into?
Which cellular components are phagocytosed by the spleen?
Which cellular components are phagocytosed by the spleen?
The thymus is at it's largest when?
The thymus is at it's largest when?
Lymphocytes originate from which tissue?
Lymphocytes originate from which tissue?
Which mediastinum is the thymus found?
Which mediastinum is the thymus found?
At puberty, the thymus is roughly what weight?
At puberty, the thymus is roughly what weight?
The pharyngeal tonsils are also called?
The pharyngeal tonsils are also called?
Which structural component within the spleen is responsible for dividing the organ into lobules and providing a supportive framework?
Which structural component within the spleen is responsible for dividing the organ into lobules and providing a supportive framework?
How does the spleen contribute to the body's defense against blood-borne pathogens, considering its unique structural characteristics?
How does the spleen contribute to the body's defense against blood-borne pathogens, considering its unique structural characteristics?
How does the thymus facilitate the development of self-tolerance in T-lymphocytes?
How does the thymus facilitate the development of self-tolerance in T-lymphocytes?
Considering the location and relationships of the thymus, a tumor in the anterior mediastinum is MOST likely to directly impact which of the following structures?
Considering the location and relationships of the thymus, a tumor in the anterior mediastinum is MOST likely to directly impact which of the following structures?
If a patient experiences a traumatic injury leading to splenic rupture and subsequent splenectomy, what long-term immunological consequence is MOST likely?
If a patient experiences a traumatic injury leading to splenic rupture and subsequent splenectomy, what long-term immunological consequence is MOST likely?
Flashcards
Location of the Spleen
Location of the Spleen
Located in the left hypochondriac region, between the stomach's fundus and diaphragm.
Spleen's Superior Border
Spleen's Superior Border
The diaphragm separates the spleen from the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs and the intercostal muscles.
What does the spleen contain?
What does the spleen contain?
Contains reticular and lymphatic tissue and it is the largest lymph organ.
Palatine tonsils
Palatine tonsils
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Lingual tonsils
Lingual tonsils
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Shape of Spleen
Shape of Spleen
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Hilum of Spleen
Hilum of Spleen
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Splenic pulp
Splenic pulp
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Phagocytosis in Spleen
Phagocytosis in Spleen
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Immune Response: Spleen
Immune Response: Spleen
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Spleen's Role in Erythropoiesis
Spleen's Role in Erythropoiesis
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Thymus Location
Thymus Location
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Thymus Structure
Thymus Structure
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Thymus Function
Thymus Function
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Thymosin
Thymosin
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Study Notes
- Palatine, lingual, and pharyngeal tonsils are main tonsils of the mouth and pharynx
- Palatine tonsils lie on the pharyngeal wall at the back of the mouth and can cause troublesome airway obstruction if swollen
- Lingual tonsils are collections of lymphoid tissue at the back and sides of the tongue
- The spleen contains lymphatic and reticular tissue, and is the largest lymph organ.
- The spleen lies in the left hypochondriac region of the abdominal cavity between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm
- It is purplish, varies in size and is usually 12cm long, 7 cm wide, 2.5 cm thick and weighs about 200g
- Superior and posterior to the spleen is the diaphragm
- Inferior to the spleen is the left colic flexure of the large intestine
- Anterior to the spleen is the fundus of the stomach, the pancreas and the left kidney
- The diaphragm separates the spleen from the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs and the intercostal muscles
- The spleen is slightly oval in shape with the hilum on the lower medial border
- The anterior surface of the spleen is covered with peritoneum
- The spleen is enclosed in a fibroelastic capsule that dips into the organ, forming trabeculae
- The cellular material, consisting of lymphocytes and macrophages, is called splenic pulp, and lies between the trabeculae
- Red pulp is the part suffused with blood, and white pulp consists of areas of lymphatic tissue with sleeves of lymphocytes and macrophages around blood vessels
- Structures entering and leaving the spleen at the hilum are splenic artery (branch of the coeliac artery), splenic vein (branch of the portal vein), lymph vessels (efferent) and nerves.
- Blood passing through spleen flows in sinusoids
- Sinusoids have pores between endothelial cells which allows it to come into association with splenic pulp
- This process is essential for removing damaged cells from the bloodstream
- Old and abnormal erythrocytes are destroyed in the spleen
- The breakdown products, bilirubin and iron, are transported to the liver via the splenic and portal veins
- Leukocytes, platelets, and bacteria are phagocytosed in the spleen.
- Spleen contains T- and B-lymphocytes, which are activated by the presence of antigens, for example in infection
- Lymphocyte proliferation during serious infection can cause enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly)
- The spleen and liver are important sites of fetal blood cell production
- The thymus gland lies in the upper part of the mediastinum behind the sternum and extends upwards into the root of the neck
- The thymus gland weighs about 10-15 g at birth, and grows until puberty when it begins to atrophy
- The thymus gland reaches its maximum weight, at puberty, of between 30-40 g and by middle age, it has returned to approximately its birth weight
- Anterior to the thymus is the sternum and upper four costal cartilages
- Posterior to the thymus is the aortic arch and its branches, brachiocephalic veins, and trachea
- Lateral to the thymus are the lungs
- Superior to the thymus are structures in the root of the neck
- Inferior to the thymus is the heart
- The thymus consists of two lobes joined by areolar tissue
- The lobes are enclosed by a fibrous capsule that dips into the substance, dividing them into lobules of epithelial cells and lymphocytes
- Lymphocytes originate from stem cells in red bone marrow
- Those that enter the thymus develop into T-lymphocytes
- Thymic processing produces T-lymphocytes that distinguish 'self' tissue from foreign tissue
- Thymic processing also provides each T-lymphocyte with the ability to react to one specific antigen
- T-lymphocytes then leave the thymus and enter the blood, some entering lymphoid tissues and others circulating in the bloodstream
- Maturation of the thymus and other lymphoid tissue is stimulated by thymosin, a hormone secreted by the epithelial cells that form the framework of the thymus gland
- Shrinking of the gland begins in adolescence and the T-lymphocyte response to antigens declines with age.
- Throughout the body are collections of lymphoid tissue with strategic locations which unlike the spleen
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