The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It is up to 12 cm long, 7 cm wide, and 3-4 cm thick, with its long axis along the tenth rib. The document describes the surfaces, blood supply, and radiological appearance of the spleen. The spleen receives blood from the splenic artery and drains into the splenic vein, which joins the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein. Imaging modalities like ultrasound, CT, and MRI can visualize the spleen and its relationship to surrounding organs.

1. Spleen

2. THE SPLEEN
Site :
in the left upper quadrant of the
abdomen.
size : up to 12 cm long, 7 cm wide
and 3-4 cm thick.
❖ Its long axis is in the line of the
tenth rib and its lower pole does
not usually extend beyond the
midaxillary line.

4. SURFACES OF SPLEEN
❖ Diaphragmatic surface
related through the diaphragm to the cost
diaphragmatic recess of the pleura and the ninth,
tenth and eleventh ribs.
❖ Visceral surface
faces anteroinferior and to the right Its contours
correspond to its relationship to the stomach
anteriorly, the splenic flexure of the colon inferiorly
and the left kidney posteriorly
❖ The splenic artery enters and the splenic vein
leaves the spleen as four or five branches each at
the hilum between the gastric and renal
impressions

6. BLOOD SUPPLY OF THE SPLEEN
❖ The splenic artery arises from the
coeliac trunk .
❖ The splenic vein receives the inferior
mesenteric vein and joins with the
superior mesenteric vein to form the
portal vein.

7. RADIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE SPLEEN
Plain films of the abdomen
The spleen is often not visible but its lower pole
may be outlined by fat .
Ultrasound of the spleen
The spleen is of similar echogenicity to the liver
or even higher .
Computed tomography
On CT the spleen is seen as homogeneously enhancing In the
arterial phase a pallisading pattern of enhancement may be
seen Its relationship to the diaphragm, pleura and ribs and to
the pancreas, stomach, colon and Left kidney can be
appreciated
Magnetic resonance imaging
The spleen is readily visible on MRI , it can be appreciated
especially well on sagittal and coronal imaging

8. X-ray Films

9. Spleen Ultrasound

10. CT Abdomen

11. spleen
liver
stomach
MRI FOR SPLEEN:
Aorta

12. The portal venous system