SPLEEN

SPLEEN

1. Introduction : it is the largest lymph organ and formed by reticular and lymphoid tissue.

2. Situation : it lies in the left hypochondriac region of the abdominal cavity between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm.

3. Measurments :
1. Colour – purplis
2.Length – 12 cm long
3.Width – 7 cm diameter
4. thickness – 2.5 cm
5. weight - 200gm.
6. shape – slightly oval

4. ORGANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPLEEN

Superiorly and posteriorely – diaphragm

Inferiorly - left colic flexure of the large intestine .

Anteriorly - fundus of the stomach

Medially - pancreas and the left kidney
Laterally - separated from the 9^th ,10^th and 11^th ribs and the intercostal muscles by the diaphragm .

1. STRUCTURE : the spleen is slightly oval in shape with the hilum on the lower medial border .1. The anterior surface is covered with peritoneum .2. It is enclosed in fibroelastic capsule that dips into the organ, forming trabeculae. The cellular material consisting of lymphocytes and macrophages, is called splenic pulp , and it lies between the trabeculae.3. Red pulp is the part suffused with blood and white pulp consists of areas of lymphatic tissue where there are sleeves of lymphocytes and macrophages around blood vessels.

2. BLOOD SUPPLY
Arterial supply : splenic artery , a branch of the coeliac artery.
Venous drainage : splenic vein , a branch of the portal vein
Blood passing through the spleen flows in sinuses which have distinct pores between the endothelial cells , allowing it to come into close association with splenic pulp.

3. NERVE SUPPLY -
symphathetic nerve supply

Para symphathetic nerve supply

8. FUNCTIONS :
a. phagocytosis

b. storage of blood

c. it improves immune response

d. it helps in Erythropoiesis .