spleno-, splen-, splenico-, spleni-, -splenism, -splenia, -splenic

(Greek: spleen, "the inward parts;" the elongated accessory lymphatic organ of the vascular [blood] system)

The spleen is a large glandlike, but ductless, organ situated in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side and lateral to the cardiac end of the stomach.

It is also called the lien. The largest structure in the lymphoid system, it is a flattened oblong shaped structure of about 125 mm. in length.

It disintegrates the red blood cells and sets the hemoglobin free, which the liver converts into bilirubin; it gives rise to new red blood cells during fetal life and in the newborn; serves as a reservoir of blood; produces lymphocytes and plasma cells; and has other important functions, the full scope of which hasn't been entirely determined.

asplenia
Absence of the spleen.
asplenic (adjective)
A reference to the removal and absence of the spleen: "The asplenic person is someone who no longer has the saclike mass of lymphoid tissue called the spleen that is normally located in the left upper quarter of the abdomen, just below the diaphragm and behind the stomach."

"Asplenic people have lost an organ that performs important functions related to both the immune and the cardiovascular systems."

autosplenectomy
The almost complete disappearance of the spleen through progressive fibrosis and shrinkage; such as, that which may occur in sickle cell anemia.
Habet et musca splenem.
Even a fly has a spleen.

The Romans believed anger was centered in the spleen, and we still cling idiomatically to that conception. An English version might be, "The worm turns." In France and Spain, "The ant has its ire." In Italy, "Even the fly has its fury." Poland has an idiom that says, "Even a fly has a belly." This seems to say that the least among us has hunger and aspirations; as well as, rage.

hepatosplenitis
Inflammation of the liver and spleen.
hepatosplenomegaly
1. An abnormal enlargement of the liver and the spleen.
2. Etymology: the word hepatosplenomegaly is compounded from the following Greek roots: hepato- from hepatikos, "of the liver" + spleno, from splen (the spleen) + megaly from megas, "big" or "great" = "large liver and spleen".

The spleen is an organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen just below the diaphragm and protected under the lower left ribs.

hypersplenia, hypersplenism
An abnormal condition characterized by an enlarged spleen that prematurely destroys red blood cells or platelets.
laparosplenectomy
Laparotomy with excision of the spleen.
laparosplenotomy
Laparotomy to gain access to the spleen, usually for the purpose of draining a cyst or abscess of the spleen.
nephrosplenopexy
A fixation, or attachment, of a kidney and the spleen.
omentosplenopexy
A surgical procedure in which the omentum and the spleen are suspended from the abdominal wall to prevent ptosis or torsion.
phrenosplenic
A reference to the connection of the diaphragm and the spleen.
postsplenectomy
spleen
1. A spongy highly vascular organ situated near the stomach in humans which forms lymphocytes, produces antibodies, aids in destroying worn-out red blood cells, and filters bacteria and foreign particles from the blood.
2. An organ of the circulatory system present in most vertebrates, lying in the abdominal cavity usually in close proximity to the left border of the stomach.
3. A soft, purplish-red organ that lies under the diaphragm on the left side of the abdominal cavity.

The spleen acts as a filter against foreign organisms that can infect the bloodstream, and which also filters out old red blood cells from the bloodstream and decomposes them.

These functions are performed by phagocytic cells that are capable of engulfing and destroying bacteria, parasites, and debris.

Ordinarily, the spleen manufactures red blood cells only toward the end of fetal life (pre-birth baby), and after birth that function is taken over by the bone marrow; however, in cases of bone marrow breakdown, the spleen returns to its formal fetal functions.

During stress or at other times when additional blood is needed, the spleen also acts as a blood reservoir as it contracts, forcing stored blood into circulation.

It is sometimes necessary to remove the spleen entirely, particularly in trauma cases, although recent studies have shown that the spleen is far more important in the fight against infections than medical scientists previously thought it was.

splenalgia
Neuralgic pain in the spleen.