Small description about Spleen

1. Spleen
 The spleen is the largest organ in the lymphatic system.
 The spleen is located under the ribcage and above the stomach in the left upper quadrant
of the abdomen.
 The spleen is made up of two basic types of tissue, each with different functions:
 White pulp
 Red pulp
 The white pulp is part of the infection-fighting system (immune system). It produces
white blood cells called lymphocytes, which in turn produce antibodies.
 The red pulp filters the blood, removing unwanted material. The red pulp contains other
white blood cells called phagocytes that ingest microorganisms.
 People can live without a spleen (a condition called asplenia).
 Asplenia is loss of splenic function due to
 Absence of the spleen at birth
 Surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy)
 A disease that affects the spleen
 Absence of the spleen at birth is a rare disorder. Infants with this disorder often also
have a heart defect.

2.  Splenectomy is surgical removal of the spleen. It can be done in otherwise healthy
people who require splenectomy after a spleen injury or in people with diseases that
cause the spleen to enlarge and therefore require splenectomy.
 People with functional asplenia have a spleen that does not function properly.
Functional asplenia can be due to a variety of diseases. Common causes include sickle
cell disease, celiac disease, and alcoholic liver disease.