Spleen Flashcards

Explore splenic anatomy, including its surfaces, borders, peritoneal ligaments, vascular supply, lymphoid tissue, and clinical relationships.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the spleen?

The largest secondary lymphoid organ, involved in blood filtration, immune surveillance, and removal of aged blood cells.

In This Section

1. What is the spleen?

The largest secondary lymphoid organ, involved in blood filtration, immune surveillance, and removal of aged blood cells.

2. In which abdominal region is the spleen located?

The left hypochondriac region, beneath the left hemidiaphragm.

3. What is the usual vertebral level of the spleen?

Approximately T9 to T11.

4. Which ribs overlie the spleen?

The left ninth, tenth, and eleventh ribs.

5. Along which rib is the long axis of the spleen typically oriented?

The left tenth rib.

6. What are the two principal surfaces of the spleen?

The diaphragmatic and visceral surfaces.

7. What is the shape of the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen?

Smooth and convex, conforming to the curvature of the diaphragm.

8. Which organ produces the gastric impression on the spleen?

The stomach, particularly its fundus.

9. Which organ produces the renal impression on the spleen?

The left kidney.

10. Which intestinal structure produces the colic impression on the spleen?

The left colic flexure.

11. Which part of the pancreas is closely related to the splenic hilum?

The tail of the pancreas.

12. What is the splenic hilum?

A region on the visceral surface where splenic vessels, nerves, and lymphatics enter or leave the organ.

13. Which border of the spleen commonly contains prominent notches?

The superior border.

14. What is the embryological basis of the notches along the superior splenic border?

They are remnants of fetal splenic lobulation.

15. What is the peritoneal relationship of the spleen?

It is intraperitoneal and covered by visceral peritoneum except at the hilum.

16. Which ligament connects the spleen to the greater curvature of the stomach?

The gastrosplenic ligament.

17. Which vessels run within the gastrosplenic ligament?

The short gastric vessels and left gastro-omental vessels.

18. Which ligament connects the spleen to the posterior abdominal wall near the left kidney?

The splenorenal ligament.

19. Which structures pass through the splenorenal ligament?

The splenic vessels and the tail of the pancreas.

20. Which peritoneal ligament helps support the spleen inferiorly?

The phrenicocolic ligament.

21. What is the fibrous capsule of the spleen?

A connective tissue covering containing collagen and elastic fibers that surrounds the splenic parenchyma.

22. What are splenic trabeculae?

Connective tissue extensions from the capsule that support vessels and provide an internal framework.

23. What are the two major histological components of splenic parenchyma?

White pulp and red pulp.

24. What is the primary immunological function of splenic white pulp?

To initiate and coordinate immune responses against blood-borne antigens.

25. What is the principal function of splenic red pulp?

To filter circulating blood and remove aged or damaged erythrocytes.

26. What are the two main structural components of splenic red pulp?

Splenic cords of Billroth and venous sinusoids.

27. Which artery provides the principal arterial supply to the spleen?

The splenic artery, a branch of the celiac trunk.

28. Where does venous blood from the spleen drain?

Into the splenic vein, which joins the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.

29. Which lymph nodes primarily receive lymphatic drainage from the spleen?

Pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes along the splenic vessels.

30. Why can splenic rupture cause referred pain at the left shoulder?

Blood irritating the diaphragm stimulates phrenic nerve afferents from C3 to C5, producing Kehr's sign.