Spleen, Splenomegaly, and Thalassemia Notes
The Spleen: Location and Function
- The spleen is an organ located under the left costal rib.
- Its primary function is quality control, though the exact process isn't detailed here.
- The function of the spleen is directly related to overall health, thus its condition is important.
Splenomegaly: Enlarged Spleen
- Definition: Splenomegaly refers to the enlargement of the spleen.
- Location: An enlarged spleen is typically found in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
- Detection:
- It can be an incidental finding during a clinical physical exam, where physicians palpate the abdominal area to check for enlarged organs or solid tumors.
- It is important to differentiate an enlarged spleen from other enlarged organs, such as the bladder, which is located lower in the abdomen.
- Causes and Effects: Understanding the causes and potential effects of splenomegaly is crucial.
- Hypersplenism: Splenomegaly is recognized as one of the four cardinal signs of hypersplenism.
Splenectomy: Spleen Removal
- When issues cause the spleen to grow significantly, requiring surgical intervention, the entire spleen is usually removed, as it's often not possible to keep only a part of it.
Blood Cell Normal Values (General Reference)
- White blood cells: Approximately 3 (or 3.3 - transcript is slightly ambiguous:
