Where is the spleen located in the human body?
© 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved. The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long.
Why is the spleen important to the nonimmune host?
Although the liver appears to remove the majority of well-opsonized bacteria from the bloodstream, the spleen plays an important role through its ability to sequester bacteria that are not as well opsonized and, thus, is of critical importance in the nonimmune host.
Can a massive splenomegaly cause pain in the spleen?
Splenomegaly usually does not cause spleen pain. There may be some pain in the case of a massive splenomegaly or in cases of infectious and inflammatory causes of splenomegaly where proinflammatory cytokines may cause painful splenitis.
Where are the three areas of impression found in the spleen?
Medial surface of the spleen shows three areas of impression. The colic area is the impression of the left colic flexure, the gastric area is the impression of the stomach, and the renal area is the impression of the left kidney. The splenic hilum is found in the central part of this surface.
What causes the spleen to be enlarged on the left side?
A number of conditions, including liver disease and some cancers, can cause your spleen to become enlarged. Your spleen is an organ located just below your left rib cage. Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).
Where are the splenic sinusoids found in the spleen?
The cords of Billroth (splenic cords) are the cellular aggregations supported by the reticular connective tissue. They appear as stripes and consist of of macrophages, plasmocytes and blood cells. Splenic sinusoids are found between the cords of Billroth.