Penny Chapter 6 - Definitions

Accessory Spleen

a small, round island of splenic tissue often located near the splenic hilum or near the tail of the pancreas - also referred to as a splenule, splenuncuclus or supernumerary spleen

Angiosarcoma

a rare malignant tumor of the spleen that is derived from blood vessels

Asplenia

a congenitial absence of the spleen

Autosplenectomy

the gradual fibrosis and dysfunction of the spleen secondary to a disease

Bacteremia

presence of bacteria in the blood

Bacterial Endocarditis

an infection of the surface of the heart that can spread to other organs

Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome

a growth disorder syndrome synonymous with enlargement of several organs including the skull, tongue and liver

Blunt Trauma

non-penetrating injury to the body

Concave

having a rounded inward surface

Convex

having a rounded exterior surface

Culling

the splenic process of removing irregular red blood cells from the bloodstream

Epstein-Barr infection

a herpevirus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis

Erythropoiesis

the process of making red blood cells

Extramedullary Hematopoiesis

the spleen’s hematopoietic function which can return in cases of severe anemia

Granulomas

small echogenic calcifications that result from inflammation of the tissue in that area

Granulomatous Disease

an inherited disease that disrupts the normal immune system and causes it to malfunction, resulting in immunodeficiency, chronic inflammation can lead to the development of granulomas in several organs

Hemangioma

a benign tumor composed of vessels

Heterotaxia syndrome

a group of inherited syndromes in which the organs of the chest and abdomen are abnormally arranged: often included either asplenia or poly splenic and many other anomalies

Histoplasmosis

a disease that results from inhalation of an airborne fungus that can affect the lungs and may spread to other organs

Hodgkin Lymphoma

carcinoma of the lymphocytes that has a relatively high recovery rate; cancer of the lymphatic system

Hydatid Cyst

a cyst that results from the parasite infestation of an organ by a tapeworm

Hypersplenism

an overactive spleen, cytosplenia caused by splenomegaly

Leukopenia

a reduction in the number of leukocytes in the blood

Lysis

breaking down of a cellular membrane

Mononucleosis

an infectious disease cause by the epstein-barr virus

non-Hodgkin lymphoma

carcinoma of the lymphocytes - cancer of the lymphatic system

osteomyelitis

bone infection caused by fungus or bacteria

pitting

the splenic process of cleaning red blood cells of unwanted material

Polysplenia

having many small islands of splenic tissue

Portal Hypertension

the elevation of blood pressure within the portal venous system

Red pulp

specialized tissue within the spleen that performs its phagocytic function

Reed-Sternberg cells

the cells that indicate the presence of hodgkin lymphoma

Reticuloendthelial system

phagocytic system of the body that helps remove dead and toxic particles

Sarcoidosis

systemic disease that results in the development of granulomas throughout the body

Splenectomy

surgical removal of the spleen

Splenic cleft

a congenital anomaly in which that spleen is divided into two portions of band tissue

Splenic Hamartoma

benign splenic mass that been associated with beck with -wiedernann syndrome and tuberous sclerosis

Splenic infarct

an area within the spleen that has become necrotic owing to a lack of oxygen

Splenic lymphangioma

benign tumor composed of lymph spaces

Splenic torsion

twisting of the splenic vasculature causing a disruption in blood supply to the spleen and subsequent ischemia

Splenomegaly

enlargement of the spleen

Splenosis

the implantation of ectopic splenic tissue possibly secondary to a splenic rupture

Splenule

an accessory spleen

tuberous sclerosis

a systemic disorder that leads to the development of tumors (hamartoma) within various organs

Wandering spleen

a highly mobile spleen

White pulp

specialized lymphatic tissue within the spleen