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.
Asplenic people have lost an organ that performs important functions related to both the immune and the cardiovascular systems.
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.
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.
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.
2. A bad mood; spitefulness: Historically spleen was considered the seat of passion or emotion, and so it resulted in the English expression "to vent one's spleen."3. Etymology: from Greek and Latin , spleen, "the organ" and melancholy "the temperament, an expression of one's anger"; such as, by shouting, which came from the earlier belief that spleen was "the source of bad tempers."