Why does a person need a spleen and is it possible to live without it?

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Everyone knows about the functions of organs in the bowels of their body: what the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys do. But not everyone can answer the question: why does a person need a spleen? About this in the article.

What is the spleen and where is it located

For centuries it has been considered a mysterious and mysterious human organ.

This organ is called the largest lymph node. It looks like a gland with a flat and elongated sphere shape. She “hides” behind the stomach in the upper left abdominal cavity. Its neighbors are the diaphragm, pancreas, stomach and the left lobe of the liver.

What does the spleen do in the human body?

This humble worker does a responsible job: captures and destroys harmful bacteria and viruses, foreign cells. It recycles toxins, destroys insoluble components of damaged tissues during mechanical injuries and burns.

Forms antibodies – the “army of defenders” of our body. In addition, it filters 100-200 ml every minute. blood, removing dead and damaged cells.

Functions of the spleen in the human body

Its activity is not at all related to the digestion process: it is responsible for the composition of the blood and the protection of the immune system.

Functions:

1. Immune – develops cellular or humoral immunity to foreign antigens.
2. Hematopoietic – participates in the formation of new blood cells: leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets.
3. Hemolysis – destroys old red blood cells.
4. Protective – the accumulation and destruction of microorganisms and other foreign particles with antigenic properties.

Can a person live without a spleen?

Yes maybe. Sometimes there are cases of congenital absence of the spleen. Surgical removal of this organ does not significantly affect the viability of the organism. But a person without a spleen is susceptible to many bacterial and viral infections. The risk of developing sepsis increases.

Diseases of the spleen

• inflammatory processes, infectious diseases;
• heart attack;
• abscess;
• helminthiases;
• cyst;
• oncology.

The causes of these diseases: cirrhosis, liver tumor, cysts, chronic and acute infections. Malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, brucellosis, syphilis, circulatory failure. Leukemia, anemia and other hematological diseases.

Size matters

If the lymph node grows, it is dangerous! Dimensions of a healthy adult spleen:

1. Length 10-11 cm.
2. Width 3-4 cm.
3. Weight 100-250 gr.

Diagnostics

Medical terms for spleen pathology:

• splenitis – inflammation;
• splenomegaly – an increase;
• hepatosplenomegaly – enlargement of the liver and spleen.

For diagnostics, use:

• palpation (by feeling);
• Ultrasound;
• X-ray of the abdominal cavity (to determine the contours of the organ);
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
• CT (computed tomography);
• blood test;
• puncture (if a tumor is suspected);
• the introduction of adrenaline (to identify pathology).

Which doctor to contact?

The therapist supervises the treatment. If necessary, he refers the patient to a consultation with an infectious disease specialist, surgeon, traumatologist.

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