THE SPLEEN

GROUP 13
 THE SPLEEN

The largest lymph organ in the body

It lies in the left hypochondriac region of the abdominal cavity, between the fundus
of the stomach and the diaphragm.

It is purplish in colour.

It varies in size in different individuals, but averagely it measures 2cm long, 7cm
wide and 2.5cm thick.

It weighs about 200g.

 ORGANS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
SPLEEN
Superiorly and posteriorly :- diaphragm

Inferiorly:- left colic flexure of the large intestine.

Anteriorly:- fundus of the stomach

Medially:- pancreas and left kidney

Laterally:- separated from the 9th, 10th and 11th ribs and intercostal
muscles by the diaphragm.
 STRUCTURE

The spleen is slightly oval in shape with hilum on the lower medial border.

The anterior surface is covered with peritoneum.

It is enclosed in a fibroelastic capsule that penetrate into the main body or
organ to form trabeculae.

The cellular material is made up of lymphocytes and macrophages and is

called splenic pulp and lies between the trabeculae.
 STRUCTURE CONT’

The spleen is made up of two (2) pulp. The red and the white pulp.

Red pulp:- area containing blood

White pulp:- consist of areas with lymph tissues with lymphocytes

and macrophages around blood vessels

Structures enters and leave the spleen at the hilum.

 BLOOD SUPPLY
Blood is supplied to the spleen through the splenic artery and drains
through the splenic vein.
 NERVE SUPPLY
Nerve is supplied to the spleen through the splenic plexus.
 FUNCTIONS

Phagocytosis: Microbes, platelets, etc are phagocytosed in the spleen.

Storage of blood: stores about 350ml of blood that can be released

into circulation during eg. Haemorrhage.

Immune response:- presence of T and B lymphocytes which are

activated by the presence of antigens.

Erythropoieses:- site for production of blood cells, especially in fetus.

THANK YOU.
 GROUP MEMBERS
NAME ADMISSION NUMBER SIGNATURE
GYABAH EVANS
MUSAH HAHAJARA
MUSTAPHA MARIAM
NKANSAH ESTHER
NYADZOR EMEFA JULIET
OBENG GIFTY