Spleen

The spleen is located in the left hypochondrium region posterior to the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs. It is attached to surrounding organs such as the stomach and left kidney by the gastrosplenic ligament and splenorenal ligament respectively. The splenorenal ligament, contains the five terminal branches of the splenic artery, tributaries of the splenic vein, and the tail of the pancreas.

The functions of the spleen include:

1. Removing old and abnormal red blood cells

2. Storage of platelets

3. Protection from infection.

Blood supply:

The splenic artery (largest branch of the celiac trunk) which gives off the following branches:

1. Dorsal pancreatic artery

2. Great pancreatic artery

3. Caudal pancreatic arteries

4. Short gastric arteries

5. Left gastroepiploic artery

These five terminal branches of the splenic artery supply individual segments of the spleen with no anastomosis between them so that obstruction or ligation of any terminal branch will result in splenic infarction.

Venous drainage:

The splenic vein drains the spleen.

Innervation:

It receives innervation from the celiac plexus, accompanying the splenic artery.

Clinical Notes:

1. Rib fractures or a sudden increase in abdominal pressure as a result of trauma to the region can cause a rupture of the spleen which in turn leads to intraperitoneal hemorrhage and shock.

2. While the spleen is not typically palpable in clinical examinations, in the even of underlying problems such as lymphoma, granulocytic leukemia, portal hypertension, or hypertension, a patient might present with splenomegaly.