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It is composed of red pulp which filters the blood, removing foreign material, damaged and worn out red blood cells. It also functions as a storage site for iron, red blood cells and platelets. The rest (~25%) of the spleen is known as the white pulp and functions like a large lymph node being the largest secondary lymphoid organ in the body. [3]
The spleen of horses stores roughly 30 percent of the red blood cells and can release them when needed. [20] In humans, up to a cup (240 ml) of red blood cells is held within the spleen and released in cases of hypovolemia [21] and hypoxia. [22] It can store platelets in case of an emergency and also clears old platelets from the circulation.
A photomicrograph of the blood showing thrombocytopenia: Specialty: Hematology: Causes: Bone marrow not making enough platelets, body destroying platelets, spleen holding too many platelets [1] Diagnostic method: Complete blood count [1] Treatment: None, immunosuppressants, platelet transfusion, surgical removal of the spleen [1]
Platelets which have been bound by antibodies are taken up by macrophages in the spleen (which have Fc receptors), and so removal of the spleen reduces platelet destruction. The procedure is potentially risky in ITP cases due to the increased possibility of significant bleeding during surgery.
Blood transfusions are typically used in patients with secondary anaemia rather than isolated thrombocytopaenia as the platelets will likely be destroyed on transfusion. [8] Fluid therapy may be used to correct hypovolaemia and dehydration in cases without anaemia; however, this decreases platelet production.
The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for red blood cells, triggers phagocytosis of invaders, and mounts an immunological response when necessary. [2] Lack of a spleen, called asplenia, can occur by autosplenectomy or the surgical counterpart, splenectomy. Asplenia can increase susceptibility to infection. [3]
The family of 70-year-old William Bryan claims surgeon Thomas Shaknovsky removed his liver and not his spleen during a procedure he did not survive. Family of deceased Alabama man claims surgeon ...
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen. [1] The spleen usually lies in the left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the human abdomen.Splenomegaly is one of the four cardinal signs of hypersplenism which include: some reduction in number of circulating blood cells affecting granulocytes, erythrocytes or platelets in any combination; a compensatory proliferative response in the bone marrow; and the ...