Organ
Spleen
Blood filtration and immune defence beneath the left ribs
High-yield
Relate the spleen to ribs 9–11, the left diaphragm and pancreatic tail. Its major immune function concerns the blood rather than filtration of incoming lymph.
Overview
The spleen lies between the stomach and diaphragm in the left upper abdomen. Its red pulp removes damaged or aging blood cells, while white pulp organizes immune responses to blood-borne antigens. Peritoneal folds connect its hilum with the stomach and posterior abdominal wall.
Reference facts
- Location
- Left hypochondrium, deep to the lower left ribs and against the diaphragm, lateral to the stomach.
- Parts
- A convex diaphragmatic surface and an organ-facing visceral surface with the hilum; red pulp contains cords and sinuses, while white pulp surrounds arterial branches.
- Blood supply
- Splenic artery from the celiac trunk, dividing into segmental branches near the hilum.
- Innervation
- Autonomic fibers accompany the splenic artery from the celiac plexus and influence vascular tone.
- Venous/Lymphatic drainage
- Splenic venous blood enters the portal system; efferent lymph reaches pancreaticosplenic and celiac nodes.
- Relations
- Near the gastric fundus, left kidney and colic flexure; the pancreatic tail approaches the hilum within the splenorenal ligament.
- Function
- Removes abnormal blood cells, recycles red-cell components, stores a platelet pool and contributes to antibody-mediated defence.
Mnemonic
At the left ribs: red pulp reviews red cells; white pulp organizes defence.
Clinical correlation
Trauma near the left lower ribs can injure the spleen and cause intraperitoneal bleeding. Diaphragmatic irritation may refer pain to the left shoulder. Absent or impaired splenic function increases susceptibility to serious infection, particularly from encapsulated bacteria.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the spleen located?
The spleen lies left hypochondrium, deep to the lower left ribs and against the diaphragm, lateral to the stomach.
What does the spleen do?
Removes abnormal blood cells, recycles red-cell components, stores a platelet pool and contributes to antibody-mediated defence.
What are the parts of the spleen?
A convex diaphragmatic surface and an organ-facing visceral surface with the hilum; red pulp contains cords and sinuses, while white pulp surrounds arterial branches.
What is the blood supply of the spleen?
The spleen is supplied by the splenic artery from the celiac trunk, dividing into segmental branches near the hilum.