The spleen removes old red blood cells, called erythrocytes, from the blood supply and removes, stores and produces white blood cell lymphocytes. What is a spleen. Spleen Definition. © 2020 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. It controls the level of blood cells. Information on the anatomy of the spleen can be found on our sister website. As the spleen is not the only organ responsible for any of these functions, the spleen is not a necessary organ. The spleen is an organ containing blood vessels and lymph nodes. Its function is equivalent to the lymph nodes, but in contrast to that, spleen is classified as a part of blood vessel system (not l… When blood flows into your spleen, your spleen performs "quality control"; your red blood cells must pass through a maze of narrow passages. It is a soft, purple, vascular organ, shaped like a small smooth rounded catcher's mitt with notches on the upper front edge. It mainly acts as a filter for purifying the blood, removing microbes and worn out or damaged red blood cells. This function, in combination with a h … Before use, the connective tissue covering is removed. The spleen is responsible for expression, memory function, thoughts, and can be an indicator of someone’s mental stability. These trabeculae [and capsule too] contains myoepithelial cells which provide them contractile ability. As the lymph nodes are filters for the lymphatic circulation, the spleen is the primary filtering element for the blood. An individual can survive without a spleen. Your spleen is a small organ located on the left side of your abdomen under the rib cage. Enlargement of the spleen is treated by addressing the underlying illness. The spleen is composed of two types of tissue: white pulp and red pulp. An individual can survive without a spleen. The spleen controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (small cells that form blood clots) https://medlineplus.gov/spleendiseases.html#summary. Located in the upper left region of the abdominal cavity, the spleen's primary function is to filter blood of damaged cells, cellular debris, and pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. If the spleen is severely damaged, it can be removed surgically with a procedure called a splenectomy. An enlarged spleen can be detected by physician examination or via diagnostic imaging. While the spleen is useful and does perform vital tasks, other organs in the body also work to filter the blood and fight infection, and blood cells are mainly produced in the bones. The spleen is an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, behind the stomach and under the diaphragm. The spleen removes old red blood cells, called erythrocytes, from the blood supply and removes, stores and produces white blood cell lymphocytes. A 2003 study published in The Journal of Medical Acupuncture concluded that subjects of acupuncture lost three times more weight than those who didn't, largely because of increased spleen function 1. It is possible to have the spleen removed and live a healthy life. The spleen is an internal organ, about the size of a fist, found in the human abdomen. • Wedge shaped 2. acts as a blood filter; it controls the amount of red blood cells and blood storage in the body, and helps to fight infection,\" said Jordan Knowlton, an advanced registered nurse practitioner at the University of Florida Health Shands Hospital. The spleen is the largest secondary lymphoid organ in the body and, as such, hosts a wide range of immunologic functions alongside its roles in hematopoiesis and red blood cell clearance. It serves important immune functions. It contains numerous T and B lymphocytes and also phagocytic immune cells. ©1996-2020 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. Splenic Infarction results when blood flow to the spleen is cut off or reduced. Other functions of the spleen are less prominent, especially in the healthy adult: It is particularly important for B cell responses to polysaccharide antigens. If the spleen is severely damaged, it can be removed surgically with a procedure called a splenectomy. The spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen and weighs around 200 g in the average healthy adult. It’s one of those organs that people know about, but aren’t sure what it does. Functions of the spleen The spleen’s primary job is to filter the blood. These stored lymphocytes produce antibodies and assist in removing microbes and other debris from the blood supply. The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrate animals. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. Copyright © 2020 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. The lymphatic system is the system of ducts and lymph nodes which are found under the skin. . . It is multi-functional and to accommodate for this, it is a soft, vascularised organ with a fibro-elastic capsule. It also correlates with the Earth element, which is affiliated with worry and rumination. The spleen is a brownish fist-sized organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen, tucked into a space between the stomach, pancreas and left kidney. The spleen is the largest secondary lymphoid organ in the body and, as such, hosts a wide range of immunologic functions alongside its roles in hematopoiesis and red blood cell clearance. The main function of the spleen is, of course, filtering the blood. These stored lymphocytes produce antibodies and assist in removing microbes and other debris from the blood supply. Do your research and make sure the company is reputable. It serves important immune functions. The spleen is a small organ, typically located on the left side of the body, behind the ribcage and stomach.It is the largest organ in the body’s lymphatic system, which is responsible for promoting immune function, filtering the blood, and managing blood volume.. Medline Plus. eMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The spleen is composed of two types of tissue: white pulp and red pulp. Spleen • situated principally in the left hypochondriac region, but its superior extremity extends into the epigastric region 3. 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