The spleen is a fist-sized organ located in the upper left abdomen, nestled beside the stomach and behind the left ribs. It plays a vital role in the immune system and blood filtering. While crucial, it's not essential for survival; the liver can take over many of its functions if necessary.
Spleen: Function & Importance
- Blood filtering: The spleen acts as a filter, removing old, damaged, or abnormal red blood cells from the bloodstream. [Source: Cleveland Clinic, NHS, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms]
- Immune system support: It's a key component of the immune system, producing blood cells that fight infection and removing microorganisms from the blood. [Source: Cleveland Clinic, NHS, NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms]
- Red blood cell storage: The spleen also stores a reserve of red blood cells. [Source: Wikipedia]
Spleen Size and Potential Problems
A healthy spleen is roughly fist-sized, but it can enlarge (splenomegaly) due to various conditions, including infections, liver diseases (like cirrhosis), and certain cancers. An enlarged spleen can be up to 20 cm long and weigh over 1000g. [Source: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Texas DSHS] Splenic sequestration crisis is a serious complication where the spleen becomes greatly enlarged and holds a significant amount of blood, leading to a drop in blood count (hemoglobin and hematocrit). [Source: Texas DSHS]
In Summary
The spleen is an important organ with dual roles in both blood filtration and immune function. Although removal is possible, its functions are significant to overall health.
