Spleen

Introduction: Spleen

The spleen is an internal body organ in the abdomen just underneath the left rib cage. The purpose of the spleen is similar to a lymph node, but involves filtering of the blood (rather than lymph). The filtered material is also attacked and broken down. Humans can survive without a spleen, but are more vulnerable to infection.

Descriptions of Spleen

Spleen: An organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen produces lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells, and destroys old blood cells. It is located on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.
Source: National Institute of Health

Spleen: a large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses
Source: WordNet 2.1

Spleen : glandlike ductless organ situated in the upper abdominal cavity; it gives rise to new red blood cells in fetus and newborn, disintegrates red blood cells, serves as a blood reservoir, and produces lymphocytes and plasma cells.
Source: CRISP

Summary Information: Spleen

Spleen: The spleen is an organ of the lymphatic system and immune system. It is the largest of the lymph organs and is located in the upper left abdominal area. It is made of lymphatic tissue that produces lymphocytes and also houses macrophages. These immune cells attack and remove pathogens from the blood to prevent infection. The spleen also filters out old red blood cells and recycles the iron from red blood cells for use as needed. It also stores monocytes.

Circulation to the spleen is through the splenic artery and splenic vein. It is innervated by the splenic plexus. The spleen contains both a white pulp and a red pulp. Conditions that can afflict the spleen include splenomegaly, ruptured spleen, trauma, leukemia, lymphomas, infections, and splenic vein obstruction.

Closely Related Organs: Spleen

The following organs are closely related to the organ: Spleen:

• Immune system
• Lymph nodes
• Lymphatic system
• Red blood Cells
• Lymphocytes
• Circulatory system
• Antibodies
• Diaphragm
• Splenic artery
• Splenic vein
• Splenic plexus
• White blood cells
• Pathogens

Conditions Afflicting Organs: Spleen

The following conditions are related to the organ: Spleen:

• Asplenia
• Splenomegaly
• Trauma Cancer
• Sickle-cell disease
• Lupus
• Leukemia
• Infection
• Obstruction
• Ruptured spleen
• Trauma
• Lymphomas
• Infections
• Splenic vein obstruction

Sub Parts: Spleen

The following list contains sub-parts of the organ: Spleen:

• Lymphatic vessels
• Lymphatic tissue
• Lymphocytes
• Macrophages
• Monocytes
• Red pulp of the spleen
• White pulp of the spleen

Symptoms Related to Afflictions of: Spleen

These symptoms are related to afflictions of the organ: Spleen:

• Abdominal pain
• Pain
• Hypotension
• Pallor
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Anemia
• Weakness
• Enlarged spleen
• Internal hemorrhage
• Shock
• Fever
• Fatigue

Condition count: 3 ; see list below.

Organ types: Organs (325), Immune system (145)

Number: 1 spleen

Main condition: Spleen conditions

Organs: list of all organs

Spleen: Related Topics

• Spleen symptoms
• Spleen disease
• Spleen disorder

Diseases List for Spleen:

The following list of medical conditions have 'Spleen' or similar listed as an affected body part in our database:

G

• Gaucher Disease ... spleen

S

• Sarcoidosis ... spleen
• Spleen conditions ... spleen

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