RAD 3379U - CH 11 Spleen

Accessory spleen

results from the failure of fusion of separate splenic masses forming on the dorsal mesogastrium; most commonly found in the splenic hilum or along the splenic vessels or associated ligaments

Amyloidosis

metabolic disorder marked by amyloid deposits in organs and tissue

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

anemia caused by antibodies produced by the patient's own immune

system

Culling

Process by which the spleen removes abnormal red blood cells as they pass through

Erthrocyte

Red blood cell

Erythropoietic abnormalities include

sickle cell, hereditary spherocytosis, hemolytic anemia, chronic anemia, polycythemia vera, thalassemia, and myeloproliferative disorder

Gastrosplenic ligament

ligament between the greater curvature of the stomach and spleen that helps

to hold the spleen in place

Gaucher’s disease

One of the storage diseases in which fat and proteins are deposited abnormally in the body

Hematopoiesis

Blood cell production

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-binding protein found in RBCs

Hemolytic anemia

Anemia resulting from hemolysis of red blood cells

Hodgkin lymphoma

Malignant disease that involves lymphoid tissue

Infarction

An interruption in the blood supply to an area that may lead to necrosis of the area

Intraperitoneal

Within the peritoneal cavity

Leukopenia

Abnormal decrease of white blood coruscles

Lienorenal ligament

ligament between the spleen and the kidney that helps support the great curvature of the stomach

Mononucleosis

acute infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that most commonly affects teenagers and young adults; symptoms include fever, sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, abnormal lymphocytes, and hepatosplenomegaly

Phagocytosis

Process by which the red pulp destroys the degenerating RBCs

Pitting

process by which the spleen removes nuclei from blood cells without destroying the erythrocytes

Polycythemia

Excess of red blood cells

Polycythemia vera

Chronic, life-shortening condition of unknown cause involving bone marrow elements; characterized by an increase in red blood cell mass and hemoglobin concentration

Polysplenia

Condition where there is more than one spleen

Red pulp

consists of reticular cells and fibers (cords of Billroth); surrounds the splenic sinuses

reticuloendothelial

certain phagocytic cells found in the liver and spleen comprise the reticuloendothelial system; plays a role in the synthesis of blood proteins and hematopoiesis

Sickle cell anemia

inherited disorder transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait that causes an

abnormality of the globin genes in hemoglobin

sickle cell crisis

condition in sickle cell anemia in which the sickled cells interfere with oxygen transport, obstruct capillary blood flow, and cause fever and severe pain in the joints and abdome

Spherocytosis

Hereditary condition in which erythrocytes assume a spheroid shape

Splenic agenesis

Complete abscence of the spleen

Splenic artery

Branch of the celiac axis; arises from the celiac trunk to supply the spleen

Splenic functions include?

hematopoiesis and the body's defense against disease

Splenic hilum

site located in the middle of the spleen where the vessels and lymph nodes enter and exit

Splenic vein

drains the spleen and travels horizontally across the abdomen, posterior to the pancreas, to join the SMV to form the portal vein; returns blood from the spleen and courses horizontally form the splenic hilum to join the SMV to form the portal vei

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen

Thalassemia

Group of hereditary anemias occurring in Asian and Mediterranean populations

The spleen is most commonly injured as a result of what?

Blunt abdominal trauma

Variations of the spleen include?

"wandering" spleen, agenesis, accessory spleen, asplenia, and

polysplenia

“wandering” spleen

spleen that has migrated from its normal location in the left upper quadrant

White pulp

Consists of lymphatic tissue and lymphatic follicles