Spleen: what functions does the organ perform, what diseases does it suffer from?

General description of the spleen

The spleen is a relatively small organ, shaped like a flat, elongated sphere. It is located to the left of the stomach. In the abdominal cavity, the spleen is in contact with the large intestine, kidney and pancreas. It is a peripheral hematopoietic organ of the human immune system.

In adults, such a lymphoid organ reaches sixteen centimeters in length and no more than seven centimeters in width. Its thickness is two and a half centimeters.

There should be only one spleen in the body, but sometimes there are cases when additional lobules of this organ are formed. Such additional particles can be located far from the spleen itself, and after its removal they take on all the main functions.

This small lymphoid organ consists of a soft red and white pulp, which is completely enveloped by a dense capsule. This shell is connective tissue. Trabeculae radiate from it into the spleen - small tissue plates that form a frame in the middle of the organ.

All of these connective tissues contain smooth muscle cells. And when they contract, the blood stored in the spleen comes out through the trabeculae, merging with the general blood flow. Large tissue plates contain veins and arteries.

Spleen in the human body

Movement, absorption and distribution of nutrients is not a complete list of what the spleen is responsible for in the human body.

In addition, the spleen is responsible for the blood structure and functioning of the muscular system. It is the main blood purifier and prevents bleeding in the body.

The absence of such an organ leads to a decrease in the body's defenses and the formation of blood clots. The metabolic process depends on the work of the spleen. The spleen is also responsible for the production of bile.

Prevention

The anatomy of the structure of internal organs is very complex and interconnected in its organization. The hematopoietic organs are no exception to the rule. To prevent their inflammation and the development of various kinds of diseases, you should follow simple rules of prevention daily, consisting of the following actions:

• moderate physical activity, walking, jogging, swimming, squats and cycling;
• drinking clean and running water without carbon dioxide (saturating the body with life-giving moisture improves blood quality and facilitates the functioning of spleen tissues);
• proper and balanced nutrition, which contains only biologically useful products containing cereal porridges, fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, and lean boiled meat;
• giving up bad habits such as alcohol, smoking, and drug use;
• timely treatment of foci of chronic infection, which is most often concentrated in the crowns of the teeth, tonsils of the throat, and nasopharynx.

It is extremely important to pay increased attention to hardening the body. To do this, it is enough to take a contrast shower every morning or wipe yourself with a wet towel. Avoid abdominal injuries and blows to the left hypochondrium.

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Main functions

The role of the lymphoid organ is very diverse. It stores a large supply of enriched blood, which, if there is a disruption in the blood balance, flows into the general flow.

The spleen is responsible for the production of lymphocytes. These blood particles circulate in the blood tissues, providing general immune protection. In addition, the spleen performs a number of important key functions:

1. Cleansing. The spleen is able to identify affected red blood cells in the body that are no longer suitable and destroy them, thereby renewing the blood. The remains of red blood cells pass to the liver, which processes them.
2. Immune. The cells of a small lymphoid organ can process foreign antibodies and harmful components in the blood, destroying all harmful microorganisms. This ability of the spleen helps to increase the protective response in the human body. In addition, it independently synthesizes immunoglobulin.
3. Hematopoietic. The spleen is responsible for producing platelet cells in the fetus during its development in the womb. In this organ in an adult, monocytes and lymphocytes are produced - the blood particles of the immune system. Such cells are very important for the body. They play an important role in the process of protection against infections and cancer.
4. Controlling. This function of the spleen includes control over the metabolic process. At the same time, iron is produced, which is necessary for the functioning of the body.

The importance of the spleen in the human body, although secondary, is still very important for health. In the absence of this organ, many functions are distributed mainly between the bone marrow and liver. But the ability to detect and remove used red blood cells remains an indispensable feature.

Cyst and injuries

Cysts often appear in the spleen. They most often develop in women due to hormonal changes. The main symptom of cyst formation in this organ is pain. Symptoms of the cystic process are:

• increased diarrhea or constipation;
• heaviness in the left side of the hypochondrium;
• nausea, worse after eating;
• allergies to those products for which it has not yet occurred;
• enlarged spleen (this symptom is easily detected during palpation of the abdominal cavity).

Injury can be of different types. In some cases, damage to other organs is possible - the liver, stomach, kidneys, left lung. The symptoms of injury depend on its nature and damage to neighboring organs. In case of open damage, the following symptoms come to the fore:

• pallor of the skin and mucous membranes;
• increased skin contractions;
• drop in blood pressure;
• decreased hemoglobin levels;
• decrease in circulating blood volume;
• with a transthoracic wound, signs of hemothorax are observed (accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity);
• when blood accumulates in the space under the diaphragm, the patient prefers to be on the left side, with his knees tucked under him;
• the sharp tension of the peritoneum attracts attention;
• in case of damage to hollow organs, a clinical picture of diffuse peritonitis is observed.

With blunt trauma to the abdomen, a fall, etc., closed injuries to the spleen occur. The manifestations of such injuries depend on how much blood has spilled into the abdomen, as well as the combination of other injuries.

Any damage to the organ requires immediate surgical intervention. Splenectomy may often be required.

Development of the spleen in the embryo

The formation of the spleen occurs in the womb. The development of this lymphoid organ begins in the fourth week after conception. At two and a half months, the spleen of the embryo is fully mature.

During fetal development, the spleen is the main hematopoietic organ. It ensures the production of red and white blood cells during the formation of the embryo for nine months. This function is then performed by the bone marrow.

After birth, the spleen does not stop supplying the cells with blood. And therefore, removing it at this age can pose a threat of chronic colds. The final formation of this unpaired organ occurs in adolescence.

The spleen is a significant organ that performs many important functions for the full functioning of the body. Blood supply and the level of immune defense depend on its work. To date, it has not been fully disclosed, but all the studied functions of this lymphoid organ are of great importance for human health and life.

The spleen begins to form in the fetus at the 5th week. Scientists still cannot figure out its exact purpose. It is known that the organ performs secondary functions: it helps strengthen the immune system, participates in hematopoiesis, and protects the body from harmful substances and bacteria. The spleen is also involved in the metabolism of proteins and iron.

Despite the fact that doctors have not figured out the main function of the spleen, its removal or rupture can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the normal functioning of the organ.

The organ is located behind the stomach in the left hypochondrium. With the help of ligaments, it connects to the liver, diaphragm, and colon. The spleen is shaped like a coffee bean. Its width is 60-90 mm, length – 80-150 mm. The organ weighs 150-200 grams. Depending on the person's build, it may be higher or lower.

The location is clearly shown in the image:

It is impossible to palpate the spleen, since it is located behind the 9-11 ribs. It is covered on all sides with thin peritoneum. The internal organ consists of white and red pulp. The first accumulates lymphocytes, and the second accumulates platelets and red blood cells.

Anatomy and histology [edit | edit code]

Topography [edit | edit code]

Holotopia.

Left hypochondrium.

Skeletotopia

. The length of the spleen extends from 9 to 11 left rib.

Relation to the peritoneum

. In general, it is covered with peritoneum on all sides (intraperitoneal); however, in the area of ​​the hilum of the spleen there is an area free of peritoneum.

Building [edit | edit code ]

The spleen has 2 surfaces: convex diaphragmatic ( facies diaphragmatica

) and concave internal (
facies visceralis
).
On the visceral surface, the renal, gastric and colonic surfaces adjacent to the corresponding organs are distinguished. The surfaces are separated from each other by a blunt lower edge ( margo inferior
) and a sharp upper edge (
margo superior
).
In addition, in the spleen there is a rear end (pole) facing backwards and upwards ( extremitas posterior
) and an anterior end (
extremitas anterior
), facing forwards and downwards.

Between the visceral surface of the spleen and the internal organs are stretched ligaments - layers of peritoneum - lig. gastrolienale (to the stomach), lig. phrenicosplenium (to the diaphragm; passes into lig. lienocolicum - to the large intestine). Some authors also distinguish lig. hepatolienale (ligament to the liver). Due to the presence of these ligaments, changes in the position of the internal organs (lowering and raising of the diaphragm during breathing, filling and emptying of the stomach during digestion) are reflected in the position of the spleen.

The outer surface of the spleen is covered with a capsule of dense connective tissue, to the outer surface of which the serous membrane (peritoneum) grows. Trabeculae (beams) formed by dense connective tissue extend from the capsule into the spleen. The capsule and trabeculae also contain smooth muscle cells, the number of which is increased in animals whose spleen performs a pronounced depository function (horse, seal). When the muscle elements of the capsule contract from the trabeculae, the blood deposited in the spleen is released into the general bloodstream. Trabeculae form the internal framework of the organ. Large trabeculae contain arteries and veins.

The internal contents of the spleen are called pulp. There are two main zones in the splenic pulp: red and white pulp.

Red pulp of the spleen [edit | edit code]

It makes up 80% of the organ’s volume and performs the following functions:

1. Deposition of mature blood elements.

2. Monitoring the condition and destruction of old and damaged red blood cells and platelets.

3. Phagocytosis of foreign particles.

4. Ensuring the maturation of lymphoid cells and the transformation of monocytes into macrophages.

The red pulp of the spleen includes the venous sinuses

(
sinus venulares
) and
splenic (pulp) cords
(
chordae splenicae
)
of Billroth
(part of the red pulp located between the sinuses).

The cords of Billroth contain blood cells, macrophages, and plasma cells lying in the loops of reticular connective tissue. Here, by analogy with the medullary cords of the lymph nodes, plasma cells, the precursors of which move here from the white pulp, complete their differentiation and secrete antibodies. In the pulp cords there are accumulations of B and T lymphocytes, which can form new nodules of white pulp. The red pulp retains monocytes, which differentiate into macrophages.

As a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin in erythrocytes absorbed by macrophages, bilirubin and iron-containing transferrin are formed and released into the bloodstream. Bilirubin is transported to the liver, where it becomes part of the bile. Transferrin from the bloodstream is taken up by bone marrow macrophages, which supply iron to newly developing red blood cells.

The red pulp sinuses, located between the splenic cords, are part of the complex vascular system of the spleen. These are wide, thin-walled vessels of irregular shape, lined with endothelial cells of an unusual spindle-shaped form with narrow gaps between them, through which formed elements migrate into the lumen of the sinuses from the surrounding cords. The basement membrane is discontinuous and is supplemented by reticular fibers and processes of reticular cells.

White pulp of the spleen [edit | edit code]

Makes up to 20% of the organ's volume. It looks like whitish-grayish inclusions of an elongated or ellipsoidal shape, the color of which is due to accumulations of lymphocytes, one of the types of leukocytes - white blood cells. Includes lymph nodes

(follicles, Malpighian bodies) and
periarterial lymphatic sheaths (muffs)
(
PALV
, PALS). The stroma of the white pulp is also formed by reticular connective tissue. In addition to reticular cells, stromal elements also include some types of macrophages, dendritic and interdigitating cells, which perform antigen presentation functions.

Directly along the pulp arteries, clusters of lymphocytes (PALV) form in the outer shell of their walls. T-lymphocytes accumulate in these formations ( T-dependent zone

). These periarterial zones are considered to be thymus-dependent zones of the spleen in which T lymphocytes undergo antigen-dependent proliferation and differentiation. Specific elements of the microenvironment of this zone are interdigitating cells.

Lymph nodes develop on the periphery of the periarterial zones. The coloring of these formations on histological preparations is heterogeneous. The central part of the nodule appears lighter. In this zone, antigen-dependent proliferation and differentiation of B-lymphocytes occurs ( B-dependent zone

). This part of the nodule is considered a bursa-dependent zone and is called the germinal (germinal) center of the nodule. Specific elements of the microenvironment of this zone are dendritic cells. The peripheral zone of the nodule (mantle zone) contains small lymphocytes sandwiched between circular reticular fibers. The mantle zone in the preparations is intensely colored and looks darker compared to the germinal center.

Marginal zone [edit | edit code]

On the border between the white and red pulp, next to the marginal sinus, there is a marginal (marginal) zone

lymph node. This zone is characterized by the presence of specific macrophages, which in a number of properties differ from other macrophages of the white and red pulp. These cells take part in the body's antibacterial defense. In the marginal zone, antibody-producing plasma cells accumulate, which are formed during the differentiation of B lymphocytes. In the marginal zone, unlike other zones of the white pulp, red blood cells are found that exit through the perforated wall of the marginal sinus, which lies on the border of the marginal and mantle zones.

Vessels and nerves of the spleen [edit | edit code]

Innervation

: branches of the vagus nerve and sympathetic fibers in the splenic plexus.

Blood supply

: splenic artery (from the abdominal aorta), which in the area of ​​the hilum of the spleen splits into several splenic branches, splitting into segmental arteries (4-5), trabecular arteries and pulpal arteries. The latter are divided into arterioles (pass into capillaries flowing into the venous sinuses).

Venous drainage

: from the venous sinuses - into the pulpal, trabecular veins, the splenic vein, which flows into the portal vein.

How the spleen hurts. Symptoms

Even minor injuries or illnesses can cause pain:

• Sepsis.
• Hepatitis.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.
• Malaria.
• Syphilis.
• Anthrax.
• Splenic infarction.
• Diseases of the respiratory system.
• Oncology.
• And others.

Pathology or enlargement of an internal organ can be determined by the following signs:

• Nagging pain in the lumbar region on the left side. The discomfort increases when inhaling. Such symptoms indicate a heart attack of an internal organ.
• Pain in the left side, in some cases, it can radiate to the scapula area. Such symptoms are observed after injury. In addition to pain, the patient may experience cold sweat, the skin turns pale, is constantly thirsty, and vomits.
• The patient experiences severe pain under the ribs and in the chest on the left side. This indicates a splenic abscess. When pustular formations appear, a person experiences chills and fever. In this case, the internal organ increases in size.
• The patient may experience unbearable pain if the spleen is severely enlarged. Cases have been recorded when the organ assumed large sizes, as a result of which pain sensations passed to the right side of the hypochondrium. Such signs indicate tuberculosis of an internal organ. No other symptoms are observed.
• When cancer appears, people experience dull pain. As a result, the temperature rises and appetite decreases.
• Periodic pain can be observed with the development of cirrhosis of the liver.

The spleen has not yet been fully studied, but it is known that diseases of the organ are most often observed in the fair sex.

Splenomegaly

This is an increase in size of the spleen as a result of a compensatory response to systemic inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, as well as damage to the hematopoietic organs. It is more often observed in children of preschool and primary school age. In adults, this condition is extremely rare. The pain will be constant, but after the cause is eliminated, everything will return to normal.

Perhaps not everyone today knows what kind of organ the spleen is, where it is located and how it hurts. But the task of a local general practitioner or a more specialized specialist is to, having correctly collected an anamnesis, identify damage regardless of the patient’s knowledge of human anatomy. Often diseases of this organ are disguised as stomach, heart, or muscle pain, which makes diagnosis difficult.

The structure of the spleen allows it to be a collector of spent blood cells and at the same time a cradle for immune units. These are unique abilities that cannot be compensated by any other organ. The role of the spleen is often underestimated by ordinary people, but if you conduct a thorough analysis, you may be surprised how much depends on its well-being. Take care of your health! It’s better to live your whole life and not know what pain in the left hypochondrium is.

What is the spleen? Where is it located and how does it hurt? Such questions are asked by happy people whose bodies work like clockwork.

Drug treatment

Treatment of the spleen is selected on an individual basis. A qualified doctor prescribes therapy that relieves the symptoms of the disease. Along with special medications, the patient is recommended to take antibiotics.

It is important to note that the patient should take only those medications prescribed by the doctor after diagnosing the disease and determining its causes.

If a person suffers from severe pain, the doctor prescribes painkillers, as well as pills that relieve swelling. As the disease progresses, the physician carries out UHF, magnetic therapy and physiotherapy.

If you seek medical help in a timely manner, you can get rid of problems in a short time.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you have pain in the spleen, you should consult your family doctor or general practitioner. In the future, the patient will need the help of highly specialized doctors - a gastroenterologist or surgeon. Treatment of spleen diseases is carried out under the supervision of a specialist. In advanced cases, surgical removal of the organ is recommended.

As prescribed by a doctor, the following can be used:

• allergy remedies
• anti-inflammatory and/or painkillers
• antibiotics
• vitamin and mineral complexes to strengthen the immune system
• antitumor or antituberculosis drugs, etc.

Treatment of spleen diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a physician. Traditional medicine can be used as supportive medications (after consultation with a specialist).

Treatment with folk remedies

If spleen diseases are at the initial stage of development, then you can be cured at home using traditional methods. The necessary medicinal plants can be purchased at almost any pharmacy.

St. John's wort decoction

To get rid of pain and eliminate signs of organ disease, it is recommended to take an infusion of St. John's wort. To prepare it, you need to pour 1 glass of boiling water into 10 grams of herbs. Leave for 30 minutes, strain and add about 200 ml of filtered or boiled water. Take 3 times a day. The prepared product should be stored for no more than 2 days.

Wormwood decoction

Wormwood helps relieve inflammation. You need to soak 100 grams of the plant for 1 day. Then boil the solution for 30 minutes, then strain and add 400 grams of honey. Place the pan back on the stove and cook over medium heat until the solution thickens completely. Take the product before meals, 2 tablespoons 4 times a day.

Propolis

To prevent the disease, it is recommended to take propolis. It reduces the risk of developing tumors, stops the development of harmful bacteria and has an anti-inflammatory effect. For the first 10 days you need to take the solution (30 drops in 60 ml of water) every 3 hours.

cucumber seeds

You need to use seeds from old vegetables. They need to be dried and then ground. 15 grams of powder should be taken before meals and washed down with warm water. The course of treatment lasts no more than 2 weeks.

Dandelion roots

To prepare the product, you need to chop the roots. Pour 1 tbsp of powder into 1 glass of boiling water. Leave for 4 hours. The product should be taken in small sips before main meals.

Chicory

If the patient has severe pain in the spleen area, then you need to prepare a chicory tincture. Pour 1 tbsp of herb root with 1 cup of boiling water. Cook for 10 minutes and leave to steep for 30 minutes. Then strain. The product should be taken 2-3 sips 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is 1 week.

Chaga infusion

You can relieve pain using birch mushroom. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour a small piece of chaga with warm water in a ratio of 1:5. Leave in a cool place for 2 days. Take the product 3 times a day, 1 tbsp.

There are many more traditional medicine recipes that help get rid of the symptoms of spleen disease. But before that, you need to consult a doctor to avoid possible complications.

Scientists still do not fully know what an organ such as the spleen is responsible for, no matter how surprising it may sound at the modern level of medical science.

This is one of the organs that not so long ago was considered not the most necessary, along with the tonsils, appendix, adenoids and other organs, the purpose of which was not immediately revealed to a person.

Modern medicine believes that there are no useless elements in the body. It remains to find out what goals one or another of them achieves.

Asplenia

This term refers to a complex of painful symptoms characteristic of the absence of a spleen, including:

• shortness of breath;
• heartbeat;
• circulatory and blood pressure disorders;
• reduced resistance to infections;
• increased thrombus formation.

There are:

• congenital asplenia - rare, predominantly in boys, accompanied by underdevelopment of other organs and systems, in 95% of cases incompatible with life;
• acquired - occurs after removal of the spleen, more often in men 30–45 years old. Severe asplenia is not a necessary consequence of surgery.

Congenital defects require surgery; in the acquired form, the following are indicated:

• prevention of infections through vaccination;
• taking medications that reduce blood viscosity.

Asplenic syndrome does not cause pain in the spleen area.

“Full of mystery” organ

This is what Galen, the Roman philosopher and surgeon, called the spleen. This is a fairly large organ in the abdominal cavity, the purpose of which in the human body has long remained a mystery to anatomists and physiologists.

At the same time, scientists have long noticed that it is not vital, because after removal a person, it would seem, continues to lead a completely full life.

Diseases of the spleen are not as common as diseases of other abdominal organs. The organ does not take part in digestion, so it is not so easy for a person to disturb its health.

The liver and spleen are similar in appearance, and are located symmetrically: on the right and left in the upper abdomen, although the size of the liver is several times larger.

In this case, people are more often bothered by painful or unpleasant sensations in the right side, where the liver and pancreas are located, than in the spleen area.

If you get too carried away with beer, fatty or fried foods, you will feel heaviness, a feeling of fullness, or even pain in the right hypochondrium.

It is not surprising that many adults know the exact location of the liver, but few have “felt” the spleen, which gives the misleading impression that it is not really needed.

Here are some more interesting facts about the spleen. A person can be born without a spleen. There is an assumption that in this case its functions are performed by the liver, since after the removal of an organ, the liver partially compensates for its absence.

Some people, on the contrary, have many spleens; according to some sources, for some reason there can be from two to a hundred!

True, the additional spleens in this case are significantly smaller in size compared to the main one.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov had many pseudonyms, and one of them was “the man without a spleen.” The humor writer even used his name to leave a message for the reader.

In those days, it was believed that the organ was responsible for emotions; perhaps Chekhov was trying to call himself a man without feelings.

There was a version that “spleen juices” cause a depressed state in a person (in English, the concepts of “spleen” and “spleen” are denoted by one word), that is, the writer could emphasize his positive character.

In Russian, the name of the organ is consonant with the designation of a male duck - drake. The reason is the blue-green color of the bird's head, which resembles the hue of the spleen.

Diagnostics

Spleen - where it is located and how this organ hurts, as well as what symptoms may accompany the pain are described above.

If the symptoms are not acute, you should routinely consult a therapist for an initial consultation and prescribe a number of measures:

• collecting data on existing or past diseases, infections, recent injuries, the possibility of parasitic infection;
• examination – effective for significantly enlarged spleen or large cysts/tumors;
• palpation - carried out in a lying position on the right side or on the back. The doctor evaluates the position of the lower border of the organ, which, in the presence of a disease, can protrude from under the ribs, consistency and soreness;
• blood tests - general and specialized studies. They make it possible to identify disturbances in blood composition (balance of leukocytes, platelets and red blood cells), anemic conditions, the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the blood, a positive reaction to antibodies to parasites;
• X-ray and ultrasound examinations - serve for a preliminary assessment of the condition of the abdominal organs, identifying tumor or scar changes;

• computed tomography - performed when the previous methods are insufficiently informative, can be combined with angiography - assessment of the condition of blood vessels (if a tumor is suspected);
• tissue puncture with histological examination - if a malignant process is allowed.

During the research, consultations with a hematologist, infectious disease specialist or oncologist may be required.

Functions of the spleen

The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the human body, and its first function is lymphopoiesis. The largest number of lymphocytes circulating through the circulatory system appears here.

The organ also serves as a filter that traps bacteria and foreign particles. It performs an important immune function.

This is why people who have had their spleens removed, especially as children, are more likely to get bacterial infections.

All organs of the peripheral immune system (lymph nodes, lymph follicles of the gastrointestinal tract and spleen) are united into a single system by lymphatic and blood vessels.

These are channels through which lymphocytes scurry back and forth, collecting information about antigens and distributing it throughout the organs of the immune system.

The main hematopoietic organ in the body is the liver, but the spleen also has an important role. This is one of the stores of iron necessary for the production of red blood cells.

In adulthood, the organ produces lymphocytes and monocytes and, along with the liver, destroys red blood cells and platelets when their life cycle ends.

The remains of the blood cells are sent to the liver, where they are used to produce bile. Thus, the spleen is involved in blood purification.

During intrauterine development, the spleen produces blood, but by the time of birth, the fully formed bone marrow begins to produce red blood cells and white blood cells.

At this time, the role of the spleen changes, it begins to produce lymphocytes and monocytes.

However, in some blood diseases, the organ performs the task of a substitute player - areas occupied by hematopoiesis appear in it. In some mammals, it is engaged in the production of blood cells throughout its life.

The spleen serves as a kind of blood bank; it simultaneously stores a third of all platelets in the human body. Every second in the body of a healthy person, about ten million red blood cells - erythrocytes - go to waste. If for some reason a person loses a significant amount of blood, then platelets from the storage enter the circulatory system.

Previously, the spleen was considered an endocrine gland due to its similarity to glandular organs.

However, scientists were unable to confirm the secretory activity of the organ, and this theory was relegated to the shelf of the history of physiology. Recently the theory has been reincarnated.

There is a hypothesis that the spleen actually produces hormones that regulate the functioning of the bone marrow. Whether it is needed specifically for this purpose or exists for some other reason remains to be determined by scientists.

What can happen to the spleen?

Primary diseases of an organ are a rare occurrence, but quite often it can become a victim of secondary pathologies that have developed in other parts of the body. In some cases, it even comes to splenectomy - removal of the organ.

The most common cause is a ruptured spleen after a fall or strong blow. Severe pain appears in the upper left side, which spreads to the entire abdomen, and a hematoma often forms.

Due to injury, a fall, or other impacts, the organ can wrap around the stem. Due to the volvulus, the blood flow is disrupted, so emergency surgery is needed.

Leukemia and some infectious lesions can cause splenic infarction, usually with small lesions. A heart attack, typhoid fever, or bacterial endocarditis can cause abscesses in the organ.

However, its self-healing ability is so great that it ensures self-healing. Since the body does not require help, it does not signal this condition with pain.

Organ dystrophy with amyloidosis most often affects the kidneys, but other organs may also be affected: the esophagus, spleen, stomach or intestines.

In amyloidosis, the organ is often removed to reduce the amount of amyloid substance in the body.

There is such a thing as a septic spleen. It occurs in septic diseases, for example, coccal sepsis or anthrax. Too much blood accumulates in the organ, it softens and becomes mushy.

Infectious mononucleosis is a viral disease that is very fond of human lymphoid tissue, which is found in the spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, and liver.

The virus is not rare, but in the vast majority of cases the disease is mild. This is good for the patient’s well-being, but not very good for diagnosis.

Mononucleosis most often occurs between the ages of three and forty years. The virus is contained in saliva, so children can become infected by playing with each other's toys, and adults can become infected through kissing, and both can contract the infection through airborne droplets.

However, it is unlikely that you have ever heard of epidemics of mononucleosis, since the virus is not very contagious. For some reason, the infection affects men and boys more often.

The duration of the incubation period varies greatly (from five days to two months), the period depends on the strength of the body's immune defense.

Symptoms include enlarged lymph nodes, especially the cervical, liver and spleen. Inflammation of the tonsils causes a sore throat, swelling of the adenoid tissue makes breathing difficult, and snoring may occur.

The composition of the blood changes - atypical mononuclear cells appear in it - cells that healthy people do not have.

The acute period of the disease lasts 2-3 weeks and always ends with recovery. However, since the disease affects a critical part of the immune system, it makes it easier to contract various infections.

The weakness of the immune system persists for the next six months or a year, which is why special caution is needed: communicate less and take more care, especially take care of children.

In ancient times, it was believed that the spleen was part of the system that processed what came from the liver. There was an opinion that this organ was generally useless. Several decades ago, doctors even recommended removing it, just like the appendix. Modern scientists have proven the importance of the spleen. The organ acts as a filter for blood and pathogens. Very few people know what the spleen is for. Nobody thinks about the important functions of the organ. Is a spleen necessary at all? Let's try to figure it out!

Provoking factors of inflammation

Inflammation of an organ can occur for a number of reasons. Most often this occurs against the background of concomitant diseases in the body.

The main provoking factors for why the spleen enlarges are:

• diseases of the circulatory system;
• typhoid, typhus;
• food poisoning;
• indigestion;
• exposure to toxins, antibiotics;
• sepsis;
• jaundice;
• malaria;
• open or closed injury;
• anthrax;
• parasitic infection of the body;
• infectious mononucleosis;
• acute viral hepatitis;
• brucellosis;
• malaria.

An abscess is characterized by very clear symptoms. When they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor: the patient requires emergency medical care. Signs of this disease include:

• severe pain in the hypochondrium on the left that cannot be tolerated;
• high temperature, sometimes reaching dangerous levels, fever;
• enlarged spleen;
• lack of appetite;
• very severe nausea;
• dizziness.

If sharp pain appears on the left side, you must urgently call an ambulance: the lesion must be treated as quickly as possible.

Inflammation of an organ can be an independent disease, but most often it is associated with other pathological phenomena in the body. Signs of inflammation are as follows:

• very sharp diffuse pain in the abdomen: the patient cannot determine its location;
• vomit;
• slight increase in body temperature;
• increase in the size of the spleen;
• fever that occurs in the case of the development of a purulent abscess;
• increased heart rate.

Where is the spleen located?

The spleen is a relatively small organ. As a rule, it cannot even be felt from the outside. The shape of the spleen resembles a coffee bean or bean, and its size does not exceed 15 cm in diameter in an adult. It is soft in its structure. The color varies depending on the condition from cherry red to blue and purple.

The spleen is located below the diaphragm, in the upper left part of the abdomen. It borders the left kidney and pancreas. On the outside, the spleen is surrounded by a capsule, which protects its soft tissue.

Blood flows through the arteries of the organ to the liver. Thanks to such a system, the full volume of blood is pumped about 500 times a day! This is what the spleen is needed in the body for!

The organ has hematopoietic functions. The system controls viruses entering the body through the production of immunoglobulins, which, in turn, guard against infections and toxins. Why does a person need a spleen? To take care of your health and always feel great.

Blood supply and innervation

The structure of the spleen will be incomplete without mentioning such important anatomical features as the vessels and nerves that supply this organ.

represented in this area by branches

(vegetative part) - it is responsible for performing the functions of the organ, and fibers extending from the splenic plexus (sympathetic part), which transmit pain, proprioceptive and other impulses.

The human spleen is supplied with blood by arteries arising from the abdominal aorta. They, in turn, are divided into splenic branches, and those into segmental arteries. Then another branching occurs at the level of the trabeculae and the formation of small pulpal arteries.

From the spleen, blood returns to the portal vein system. It is connected directly to the porta hepatis.

Why does a person need a spleen? The main purpose

Still not fully understood. However, it is known to detect and filter out old blood cells. Even small clumps will be caught by this “net”. In addition, the spleen is a kind of storage place for platelets, which will be returned to the bloodstream if necessary, for example in the event of bleeding. We all remember the pain in the left side if we have to run suddenly. The unpleasant symptom has a stabbing nature and gradually goes away if the load decreases and the person returns to a calm state. It is the spleen that gives this pain. With a sudden load, the amount of oxygen is reduced, and here the spleen comes to the rescue again. She throws in the stored blood, thereby replenishing the supply of oxygen.

The second and no less important function of the spleen is to control the immune system. She is a producer of macrophages. These are white blood cells involved in protection against foreign substances and guarding the immune system. In young children, the spleen also helps in the formation of red blood cells. If the organ does not function properly, it can result in severe bleeding, which can be fatal. In case of severe bleeding, it is usually removed. Life without an organ is possible. But at the same time it is quite vulnerable. Why does a person need a spleen? To lead a normal life and not be afraid of infection at every step.

The spleen is also an organ that stores and produces iron. This substance is extremely necessary for normal human life. Before asking why a spleen is needed, it is worth remembering hemoglobin. The level of this substance decreases significantly with iron deficiency.

Heart attack

The cause of a heart attack may be blockage of an organ's vessels by an air plug or a blood clot.

This condition often accompanies:

• inflammation of the heart membranes;
• portal hypertension;
• typhoid fever.

• hidden (small heart attacks prone to self-healing);
• acute - with high fever, palpitations, vomiting and intestinal spasms and intense pain in the left hypochondrium.

In case of extensive heart attacks or infection with the formation of pus, removal of the spleen may be required.

The main function of the spleen in the body is hematopoietic, therefore its parenchyma is penetrated by a huge number of vessels. This circumstance, which in normal situations has a positive effect on the functioning of the organ, can also become a cause of illness. If, for whatever reason, part of the spleen is left without blood supply, its infarction develops.

The most common organ diseases

If an organ does not function properly, it begins to increase in size. This is a major problem that almost anyone can face. The size of the spleen can increase due to many reasons. Most often, the trigger is various infectious diseases, viruses, as well as pathologies of the pancreas and liver.

Serious injuries often lead to splenic rupture. Sometimes even an innocent hit with the ball can cause big problems. If there is pain after an injury or fall, you should immediately consult a doctor. Delay in this case is fraught with very serious consequences. In some cases, surgery cannot be avoided.

Signs

It is quite difficult to detect inflammation of the spleen, since it is very close to other organs. Symptoms of inflammation are in many ways similar to liver diseases, pancreatitis, and osteochondrosis.

Main features:

• excessive cold sweat;
• elevated temperature;
• hypotension;
• general weakness;
• disturbed sleep patterns;
• feeling of thirst;
• pain in the left hypochondrium, radiating to the shoulder, chest;
• lack of appetite.

In addition, a person may have intestinal spasms, digestive upset, dizziness, and vomiting. When bending forward, the pain increases significantly, and during the period of rest it decreases.

If the spleen hurts after eating, then this is only confirmation of its inflammation. Due to the location of the organ (between the diaphragm and the stomach), an increase in size increases pressure on adjacent organs. Therefore, a person feels pain in the upper abdomen. In this case, the pain may radiate to the back and shoulder. Therefore, if this symptom appears, it is recommended to consult a doctor, even if the discomfort is felt only temporarily after eating.

It is unknown for what reason, but inflammation of the spleen occurs much more often in women than in men.

The diagnosis has been made. How to treat?

The best treatment is a balanced diet and nutrition. It is advisable to eat in small portions, 5-6 times a day. The diet can be prescribed the same as for other diseases of the digestive system. It is advisable to exclude fatty, spicy, sour and salty foods from the diet. The diet should be enriched with fish, lean meat, seafood and seaweed. Vegetables, fruits, and fruit juices are also indispensable helpers in maintaining the health of the spleen.

In some cases, drug treatment cannot be avoided. Only a qualified specialist can prescribe a suitable drug. You can also find out from your doctor why a person needs a spleen.

Diet

What treats the spleen besides medications? To restore the organ, a special therapeutic diet is prescribed.

Its main principles:

• split meals at least 5-6 times a day;
• acceptable cooking methods: baking in foil, boiling, stewing, steaming;
• compliance with the drinking regime (at least 1.5-2 liters per day);
• refusal of alcohol, preservatives.

Authorized products:

• lean fish, meat,
• vegetable soups,
• vegetable oils,
• soft-boiled eggs,
• dry bread, biscuit,
• dairy products,
• tea, coffee, natural juices,
• nuts,
• preferred vegetables - avocado, white cabbage,
• The most useful fruits are apples and pomegranates.

Prohibited products:

• sour vegetables and fruits,
• spices,
• beans,
• fried, smoked food,
• fresh baked goods,
• mushrooms.

Folk remedies to help

The most commonly used folk remedies are propolis and chicory. These are effective products of natural origin. They relieve inflammation of the spleen well. Take 30% alcohol 3-4 times a day. A single dose is 30 drops. It is better to take propolis before meals, diluting the tincture with water.

Chicory root is also used for treatment. You need to pour 20 grams of root with a glass of boiling water, leave in a warm place for 30 minutes and strain. Take this tincture three times a day, two tablespoons. Chicory has strengthening, soothing, and analgesic properties. Pharmacies also sell ready-made chicory extract. You can add a quarter teaspoon to your tea.

For diseases of the spleen, as well as for prevention, fresh cabbage juice is considered an excellent remedy. It is taken 2-3 times a day, 0.5 cups.

How to help your spleen stay healthy?

It is worth drinking more clean water. Two liters a day will be enough! It will help the spleen cope with cleansing functions. It is worth wearing loose clothes and not tightening the abdominal area with belts and corsets. Vitamin complexes rich in copper will come to the rescue. Apples, gooseberries, raspberries, and cherries also contain a lot of copper.

A healthy diet, fresh air, and moderate exercise will help keep the body in good shape for many years. So what is the spleen for? To feel great every day!

This is such a mysterious organ - the spleen, about which almost no one knows anything. Even scientists cowardly admit that it has not yet been fully studied.

What does it look like?

It is quite miniature and looks like a coffee bean, only purple in color. Due to the similarity of color, the male duck was allegedly named after her - a drake. Lives in the left hypochondrium, behind and slightly to the left of the stomach.

Functions of the spleen in the body

Yes, no matter how offended she may be, she will have to admit: the spleen is not considered a vital organ. That is, theoretically you can do without it. But, of course, there is a meaning in its existence for the body. And not alone.

In the early stages of fetal formation, hematopoiesis occurs in it (that is, blood cells are formed and mature). However, later, by the ninth month of intrauterine development, this function is taken over by the bone marrow. But the spleen does not remain idle. Freed from bloody worries, she switches to another task - the production of lymphocytes and monocytes (these are cells of the immune system). That is, it supplies fighters to protect the body from infections ().

In addition, this is a blood depot (about 20% of the volume of this liquid is stored in it) and a “graveyard” for dead red blood cells that have sadly completed their life cycle. She, one might say, escorts red blood cells on their last journey: monitors the condition of the aging and damaged ones and filters them out from the good ones. When an old red blood cell is destroyed, special proteins take iron from it and transport it to a young red blood cell, which still has its whole life ahead of it.

But that's not all. Modern medical science also attributes to the organ the hormonal regulation of bone marrow function. The fact is that even now, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the functions of the spleen are not fully understood. That's it!

Spleen diseases

They are mostly symptomatic, that is, the spleen, in fact, is not to blame - it is not the cause. But what is important for doctors is that the processes occurring in it can signal other, very serious diseases.

Thus, it can be involved in the pathological process in many infectious diseases (measles, smallpox, malaria, scarlet fever, meningitis, acute viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, leishmaniasis and a bunch of other unpleasant things), cardiovascular diseases, leukemia, tuberculosis and liver problems . And this is not a complete list.

The main symptom of spleen disease is an increase in its size (splenomegaly). But since in most cases the changes in it are secondary, treatment is aimed primarily at the cause of the underlying disease.

Other diseases of the spleen are much less common. She may have a heart attack (local circulatory disorder) - due to blood diseases or as a result of infectious processes. Another option is an abscess (focal suppuration) - this threatens patients with typhoid fever or bacterial endocarditis. And also (though extremely rarely) cysts form in the spleen, caused, for example, by echinococcus.

However, this is not what we intend to intimidate you with. Here's what. The spleen is an easily damaged organ; it can “burst” from a simple, blunt trauma to the abdomen or from a fall on it or from a height. Further, if the organ capsule ruptures, massive bleeding into the abdominal cavity can occur, which is life-threatening. The person turns pale, aching pain and a feeling of fullness arise in the left hypochondrium. When you take a deep breath or cough, the pain intensifies. Blood pressure drops, pulse quickens. And it can lead to fainting. In this case, symptoms may not appear immediately after the injury, but several hours or even days later, which means that a secondary rupture has already occurred. It will help with heart disease - angina pectoris.

Any disease of the spleen or associated pathology requires emergency medical care. In such situations, it is removed surgically (an operation called “splenectomy”). True, with small tears and cracks, if the blood circulation is not impaired, it can still be saved - of course, exclusively in a hospital setting. In general, any serious disease of the spleen requires prompt medical attention. It cannot be treated at home.

Does it hurt / doesn't it hurt?

If it doesn’t come to the point of ruptures, in terms of health complaints, the spleen is a very modest lady. Only when she is completely uneasy (with a significant increase in size) does a feeling of heaviness and discomfort arise in the left hypochondrium, dull, aching pain (respectively, in the same place), not associated with eating or physical activity. With an abscess, fever may occur, accompanied by pain in the upper left half of the abdomen and chest.

How is life without a spleen?

The good news is that the well-being of a person with a removed spleen does not change dramatically. But still, nothing happens just like that. The latest research shows this. Firstly, since the body is deprived of its monocyte storage, patients with a resected spleen are more susceptible to diseases of a bacterial nature, and their wounds take a long time to heal. Secondly, after removal of this organ, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases significantly.

By the way, some people are even born without it. But this happens very rarely, and usually asplenia (the so-called absence of our heroine) is combined with malformations of the cardiovascular system. There are also other anomalies: organ duplication or “additional” spleens in various parts of the abdominal cavity.

How to prevent spleen diseases?

First and foremost, protect from injury. Well, no matter how trivial it may sound, follow the precepts of a healthy lifestyle. Physical exercise is beneficial for the spleen: with active work of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, a “massage” occurs, which leads to the release of a new volume of blood. Plus, the diet should contain suppliers of vitamins (group B, ascorbic acid), iron and copper - they are necessary for full-fledged work. So don't forget about green vegetables, tomatoes, black currants, citrus fruits, lentils, red meat, buckwheat and seafood. With a deficiency of vitamins, as well as with fasting, the activity and functions of the spleen decrease.

Causes of pain

The spleen rarely bothers a person with pain.

Among the main reasons that provoke organ enlargement:

• inflammatory processes – often accompanied by infection. Separately, we should highlight septic splenitis (inflammation of the spleen), which develops against the background of severe blood poisoning (sepsis);
• abscess - purulent inflammation of tissues with their melting;
• injuries - as a result of bruise, penetrating wound or broken ribs;
• splenic infarction - blockage of the splenic artery;
• non-traumatic rupture - can occur in people with an enlarged organ even with standard physical activity;
• volvulus (twisting of the leg) - leads to disruption of the blood supply to the spleen;
• thrombosis of the splenic vein and subsequent congestion in the tissues of the organ;
• splenic cysts – including parasitic ones and complicated by suppuration or rupture;
• tumor lesions;
• blood diseases - anemia, lymphomas;
• autoimmune disorders - rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, amyloidosis.

More rare causes of pain may be splenic tuberculosis or purpura - the appearance of many cysts filled with blood in the tissues of the organ. In most cases, organ enlargement is secondary - it is provoked by an underlying disease of the hematopoietic system or an infectious lesion of the body.

Pain in the spleen area does not always indicate the presence of a disease - the norm from a physiological point of view is:

• pain when walking or running quickly - caused by the accumulation and release of blood;
• pain during pregnancy is associated with pressure from the fetus on the mother’s internal organs.

If severe pain in an organ appears suddenly, then, regardless of whether there was an injury, you should proceed according to the following algorithm:

1. Carefully ensure that the person has a horizontal body position. In case of injury, one should strive to move the victim as little as possible.
2. If bleeding is present, apply a clean, tight bandage and do not apply a heating pad or ice to the sore spot.
3. Calm the person (in some cases, mild sedatives are acceptable) - this is intended to help restore breathing.
4. Do not take painkillers - this will interfere with the doctor’s diagnosis.

At the same time, it is necessary to call an ambulance - regardless of the presence of open wounds, this condition is life-threatening.

It is customary to distinguish between primary thrombosis (blockage) of the splenic vein, when the disorder is localized precisely in this part of the venous network, and secondary, when there are prerequisites in the form of negative processes in the abdominal cavity.

Thrombosis can be caused by:

• infectious diseases - blood poisoning (sepsis), syphilis, tuberculosis, malaria;
• vascular spasms;
• chronic inflammation in the peritoneum (liver or stomach);
• injuries.

The course of the disease includes 2 stages:

• hidden (when there is an enlargement of the organ) – there is no pain or any noticeable disturbances. Under favorable circumstances, self-healing may occur;
• period of bleeding - it is distinguished by bloody vomiting, feces, bleeding from the nose and gums. Death may occur due to blood loss or decreased immunity.

The most common type of pain is small, with a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, on the left, aggravated by movement. Less commonly, intense pain may occur in the left hypochondrium, radiating to the scapula.

Tuberculous organ damage is diagnosed very rarely; it can affect only the spleen or be combined with general tuberculosis (more often).

The disease can occur:

• acute - with a significant increase in temperature and signs of poisoning;
• chronically - with a temperature of up to 37, weakness, loss of appetite, organ enlargement, and blood disorders. A decrease in platelets can provoke internal bleeding.

There are two main treatment methods:

• drug therapy with anti-tuberculosis drugs;
• organ removal – if tuberculosis infection is localized only in the spleen and conservative treatment is ineffective.

The disease can occur without pain, or be expressed by heaviness in the left hypochondrium and a painful, enlarged spleen.

The spleen - where it is located and how this organ hurts - is not such a simple question, because in fact the cause of pain is most often nearby organs, nerves or blood vessels.

Prescribed medications are designed to correct the underlying disease, including:

• antibacterial drugs - to fight infection - one of the main reasons for organ enlargement;
• anti-inflammatory drugs – in combination they relieve inflammation and help normalize the size of the spleen;
• drugs that mitigate the manifestations of liver cirrhosis - hepatoprotectors, choleretic agents, metabolic correctors;

• antituberculosis drugs;
• antiparasitic drugs - their use in the treatment of echinococcosis often complements the surgical stage.

Diseases of the spleen may require correction of blood composition using antianemic or blood thinning medications. Taking painkillers is permissible only after diagnosis.

Where the spleen is located and how it hurts may be of interest to many. However, it is equally useful to learn how to reduce the likelihood of such discomfort.

To do this you should:

• do not “test the strength” of the immune system - avoid stress and hypothermia;

• strive for variety in your diet, take multivitamins (including iron-containing ones). You should eat at least 5 times a day, regularly, in small portions;
• control blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood;
• maintain an optimal level of physical activity - walk in the fresh air, play sports. This is important for preventing stagnation in internal organs;
• avoid wearing tight clothing that interferes with blood flow;
• minimize the risk of abdominal injury.

Pain in the spleen area cannot be relieved on your own with painkillers, especially if there is general malaise or intoxication. When contacting a doctor, you should clarify where the discomfort is localized and how it is expressed.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky