Spleen

The spleen (lat. Lien; Greek: Splen) is an organ of the lymphatic system. The white blood cells are multiplied in it, which means that the spleen is involved in the defense against foreign substances. Furthermore, the spleen secretes overaged red blood cells. It also serves as a storage place for monocytes.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1 Anatomy (Splen)
2 Projection of the spleen onto the trunk
3 Position of the spleen in horizontal incision
4 Spleen in situ
5 Diseases
6 Free exploration

Anatomy (Splen)

The spleen lies intraperitoneally in the left upper abdomen. Between the strong connective tissue threads that run into the interior of the organ lies an arrangement of reticular connective tissue formed by fibroblasts (splenic pulp). The splenic pulp is divided into the red and white pulp. The shape of the spleen is very variable. However, it is surrounded by a relatively solid, connective tissue capsule, which is why its outer shape is quite constant and reminiscent of a coffee bean. It is about 7 cm wide, 4 cm high and 11 cm long.
The red pulp is strongly supplied with blood in the living organ (high number of erythrocytes), hence the name and colour. It makes up the largest part of the parenchyma.
The white pulp, on the other hand, contains lymphocytes and is therefore part of the lymphatic system. They have the task of immunological defence reaction.

Projection of the spleen onto the trunk

The spleen lies in the left upper abdomen and is not palpable in a healthy, normal condition. Since it has not grown together with the diaphragm, like the liver, its position is strongly dependent on breathing. It lies under the diaphragm and is therefore directly affected by the movements of the diaphragm.

Position of the spleen in horizontal incision

Spleen: Cut of the spleen

The spleen is connected via peritoneal duplicators to the posterior wall of the body (Lig. splenorenale) and to the stomach (Lig. gastrosplenicum). It lies in a niche. The Bursa omentalis extends with the bulge (Recessus splenicus) to the spleen.

Spleen in situ

The spleen is closely adjacent to the cauda pancreatis and the flexura coli sinistra. In the case of pathological enlargement, the spleen can press on the stomach and colon and cause severe pain. The spleen develops in the Omentum majus, which is a dorsal mesentery according to history. The rotation of the stomach shifts the spleen, which initially lies behind the intestinal tube, into the left upper abdomen.