Spleen
Key Points
- The spleen is composed of red and white pulp. A marginal zone divides the 2 pulp types
- Red pulp is primarily responsible for filtration of red cells
- White pulp is composed of lymphoid tissue and is rich in B and T lymphocytes
- The spleen is located in the left hypochondrium but the superior edge will typically extend into the epigastric region
- The spleen lies between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm
- It corresponds to the 9-11th ribs laterally and posteriorly
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Image showing position of the spleen. Note its posterior positioning in the left hypochondrium. Note how it lies superior to the splenic flexure of the colon and the superior pole of the left kidney which indents the inferior surface of the spleen