Removes old red blood cells and holds a reserve of blood, which can be valuable in case of hemorrhagic shock
recycles iron
as a part of the mononuclear phagocyte system, it metabolizes haemoglobin removed from senescent red blood cells (erythrocytes).
synthesizes antibodies in its white pulp and removes antibody-coated bacteria and antibody-coated blood cells by way of blood and lymph node circulation.
Structure
The spleen contains two main regions of tissue called white pulp and red pulp.
Red pulp: Contains venous sinuses (cavities filled with blood), and splenic cords (connective tissues containing red blood cells and white blood cells).
White pulp: Mostly consists of immune cells (T cells and B cells).
Pathology
Enlarged Spleen (Splenomegaly): caused by eg viral mononucleosis (“mono”), liver disease, blood cancers (lymphoma and leukemia), etc
Ruptured spleen: can cause life-threatening internal bleeding
Sickle cell disease: inherited anaemia, abnormal red blood cells block the flow of blood through vessels and can lead to organ damage, including damage to the spleen.
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count): enlarged spleen sometimes stores excessive numbers of the body’s platelets.
Accessory spleen: About 10% of people have a small extra spleen. This causes no problems and is considered normal.
It is possible to live without a spleen, but the individual will be more susceptible to various pathologies including infection.
