It plays important roles in regard to red blood cells (also referred to as erythrocytes) and the immune system. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood, which can be valuable in case of hemorrhagic shock, and also recycles iron.
The spleen is an important organ in the body that has a variety of responsibilities. 1  It is a major filter of blood, helping remove old and damaged red blood cells, and bacteria. 1 Symptoms of an enlarged spleen are usually due to the underlying disease or condition causing it; however, those individuals who do have symptoms may experience. 2  indigestion and a feeling of fullness because the enlarged spleen can compress the stomach, 3  hiccups because of diaphragm irritation. Front View of the Spleen. The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis 1 It also is part of the lymphatic system and produces lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that are a part of the immune system that helps to prevent and fight infection. 2  The spleen also acts as a reservoir for red blood cells and platelets, should the body need them. 1 Symptoms of an enlarged spleen are usually due to the underlying disease or condition causing it; however, those individuals who do have symptoms may experience. 2  indigestion and a feeling of fullness because the enlarged spleen can compress the stomach, 3  hiccups because of diaphragm irritation. The spleen plays important roles in regard to red blood cells (also referred to as erythrocytes) and the immune system. It removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood, which can be valuable in case of hemorrhagic shock, and also recycles iron. 1 In humans, up to a cup (236.5 ml) of red blood cells can be held in the spleen and released in cases of hypovolemia. 2  It can store platelets in case of an emergency and also clears old platelets from the circulation. The spleen is found on the left side of your body, behind the stomach on a level with the 9th to 11th ribs. It is similar in structure to a lymph node, and is the largest lymphatic organ in the body. The spleen contains two main types of tissue-white pulp and red pulp. 27. 0. 0. 15. This leaflet gives a brief overview of the spleen and its functions. The spleen is an organ about the size of a clenched fist found on the left-hand side of your upper abdomen. Its main functions are to filter your blood, create new blood cells and store platelets. It is also a key part of your body's immune system Introduction. The spleen is a fist-sized organ found in the upper left side of your abdomen, behind your stomach and left ribs. Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of disease or injury. The spleen has a few important functions: 1  it fights any invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells). 2  it controls the level of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets (platelets are small cells that form blood clots). 1 The red blood cells can be released when needed. 2  In humans, up to a cup (236.5 ml) of red blood cells can be held in the spleen and released in cases of hypovolemia. 3  It can store platelets in case of an emergency and also clears old platelets from the circulation. 1 In humans, up to a cup (236.5 ml) of red blood cells can be held in the spleen and released in cases of hypovolemia. 2
http://www.medicinenet.com/enlarged_spleen/article.htm http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-spleen http://www.medicinenet.com/enlarged_spleen/article.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spleen http://patient.info/health/the-spleen http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/spleen-disorders-splenectomy/Pages/Introduction.aspx https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spleen
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