What is Spleen?
We all have a spleen. It’s a small organ located just below the ribcage, and it’s responsible for filtering our blood. Although most of us don’t think about our spleen very often, it’s actually a really important part of our body.
What is spleen? Spleen is a small, dark organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, directly below the stomach. It is about the size of a fist, weighs about one-and-a-half pounds, and contains a number of blood vessels and lymph nodes. The main function of the spleen is to filter blood and remove damaged blood cells.
 |
| Spleen |
Lymphatic system
Spleen structure
The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the body and is located in the upper left region of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and next to the stomach. It is protected by the rib cage. The dimensions of an adult spleen are approximately 12 cm in length, 6 cm in width and 3 cm in thickness, with a mass of 150-200 grams . Its main functions are to store platelets, to produce and store red blood cells and white blood cells, to recycle iron, and to serve as a filter for antigens and bacteria in the blood .
There are parts of the spleen. They each do specific jobs. The sorts of tissue inside the spleen are:
White pulp: As a part of the immune gadget, the white pulp produces white blood cells. These blood cells make antibodies. Antibodies fight infection.
Red pulp: The red pulp acts like a clear out. It removes waste from the blood and receives rid of antique or damaged blood cells. Red pulp also destroys microorganisms and viruses.
What is the role of the spleen?
The spleen is an organ that is located behind the stomach. It is a part of the lymphatic system and functions mainly by filtering out old and damaged red blood cells. The spleen also produces special white blood cells, called lymphocytes, which help fight infection. It is one of the few organs that can be removed without affecting the overall health of the body.
Your spleen:
Stores blood.
Filters blood via removing cell waste and putting off vintage or broken blood cells.
Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you combat infection.
Maintain the levels of fluid for your body.
Produces antibodies that protect you towards infection.
What affects the health of the spleen?
A spleen is a small, lumpkin-covered organ that is located in the upper left side of your stomach. It helps to filter your blood and helps to make antibodies. If the spleen is not working correctly, your immune system can't fight infections as well as it should. There are many things that can affect the health of the spleen, including: * cancer * AIDS * cirrhosis * hepatitis * malnutrition * exposure to radiation or chemicals * low levels of iron * pregnancy * childbirth * obesity * adult diseases such as Crohn's disease or Hodgkin's disease.
Many disorders, conditions, injuries and diseases can cause troubles within the spleen. These issues include:
Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly): Several conditions can reason the spleen to swell and get too massive. An enlarged spleen can cause pain and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness, even if you haven’t eaten an awful lot. Splenomegaly is a dangerous circumstance due to the fact the spleen can rupture (tear) or bleed. The spleen can become enlarged from:
Blood cancers, together with leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cancer in other elements of the frame that metastasize (spread) to the spleen.
Blood clots inside the spleen or the liver.
Certain varieties of anemia, which includes hemolytic anemia.
Cystic fibrosis (CF).
Infections, inclusive of mononucleosis (mono), syphilis, malaria and endocarditis (contamination of the heart’s lining).
Liver troubles, which include cirrhosis.
Inherited metabolic disorders, inclusive of Gaucher sickness.
Inflammatory diseases, such as sarcoidosis.
Protein disorders like amyloidosis.
Functional asplenia: This situation happens while your spleen doesn’t work as it ought to. It might also overreact (hypersplenism) and smash healthy pink blood cells. Destroying too many blood cells can increase the hazard of contamination and cause bruising and bleeding. Functional asplenia can end result from:
A twist of fate or trauma that damages the spleen.
Celiac disease.
Sickle cellular sickness.
Damaged or ruptured spleen: Your spleen can rupture (tear) from injuries and trauma. Car accidents and blows to the stomach (belly) are commonplace causes of spleen harm. This lifestyle-threatening harm can motivate severe internal bleeding.
Symptoms of a ruptured spleen encompass:
A brief heartbeat.
Nausea.
Dizziness.
Pain under the ribs at the left aspect.
Maintaining a healthy spleen
- Your spleen is a small, fist-sized organ located on the left side of your abdomen, behind your stomach. Though you can live without a spleen, it performs several vital functions, including filtering your blood and storing white blood cells that help fight infection. A healthy spleen is important to maintaining your overall health.
- The spleen is a vital part of the human body. Its primary function is to remove old, damaged red blood cells from circulation and recycle their iron content. The spleen also filters the blood to remove bacteria and other microorganisms. Additionally, the spleen produces white blood cells and stores them until they are needed to fight infection.
Maintaining a healthy lymphatic system
Avoid publicity to poisonous chemical compounds like those in insecticides or cleaning merchandise. These chemicals can build up on your machine and make it tougher for your body to clear out waste.
Drink lots of water to live hydrated so lymph can without problems move all through your body.
Maintain a healthy way of life that consists of regular workout and a healthy diet.