Splenic Hilum Flashcards

Examine the splenic hilum, including its vascular structures, pancreatic tail relationship, peritoneal attachments, and surgical anatomy.

Card 1 of 24Question

What is the splenic hilum?

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

In This Section

1. What is the splenic hilum?

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

2. On which surface of the spleen is the splenic hilum located?

The visceral surface.

3. Which two major blood vessels are associated with the splenic hilum?

The splenic artery and splenic vein.

4. Which part of the pancreas lies close to the splenic hilum?

The pancreatic tail.

5. Which peritoneal ligament carries the splenic vessels toward the hilum?

The splenorenal ligament, also called the lienorenal ligament.

6. Which ligament connects the splenic hilum to the stomach?

The gastrosplenic ligament.

7. How does the peritoneal covering change at the splenic hilum?

The visceral peritoneum reflects from the spleen into its supporting ligaments.

8. Which artery supplies blood to the spleen through the hilar region?

The splenic artery, a branch of the celiac trunk.

9. What happens to the splenic artery as it approaches the splenic hilum?

It usually divides into several terminal branches supplying different splenic territories.

10. What is the anatomical significance of the segmental branches of the splenic artery?

They supply relatively distinct vascular territories with limited intersegmental anastomoses.

11. What are polar arteries of the spleen?

Arteries that enter the superior or inferior splenic pole separately from the main hilar branches.

12. How is the splenic vein formed near the hilum?

By the union of venous tributaries emerging from the splenic parenchyma.

13. Where does the splenic vein travel after leaving the splenic hilum?

Medially along the posterior aspect of the pancreas.

14. Which vein joins the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein?

The superior mesenteric vein.

15. Which arteries arise near the splenic hilum to supply the gastric fundus?

The short gastric arteries.

16. Which artery commonly arises near the splenic hilum and travels along the greater curvature of the stomach?

The left gastro-omental artery.

17. Which autonomic nerve plexus supplies the spleen through vessels approaching its hilum?

The splenic plexus, derived mainly from the celiac plexus.

18. Which lymph nodes receive lymphatic drainage from vessels leaving the splenic hilum?

The pancreaticosplenic lymph nodes along the splenic vessels.

19. Why is the splenic hilum an important landmark during splenectomy?

It contains the principal splenic vessels that require identification and vascular control.

20. Why is the pancreatic tail vulnerable during splenic hilar dissection?

Its close proximity to the hilar vessels creates a risk of pancreatic injury.

21. What pancreatic complication may follow accidental injury near the splenic hilum?

A pancreatic fistula caused by leakage of pancreatic secretions.

22. Why are accessory spleens clinically important near the splenic hilum?

They may retain functional splenic tissue after splenectomy and contribute to recurrence of certain hematological disorders.

23. How does splenic hilar vascular anatomy support partial splenectomy?

Segmental arterial territories can permit selective resection while preserving perfusion of the remaining spleen.

24. Which imaging technique can demonstrate splenic hilar arterial branching before surgery?

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography.