Spleen Research Paper

All organs have jobs or function in the body for survival. The entire anatomy is a complex and an exciting world that allows us to live. The Spleen, even though it is not as essential as a lung, has a function in our bodies to fight off blood loss and infections. I will begin a detailed analysis into the working of a Spleen and it role in our anatomy. We must first understand the anatomy of a human body beginning with the abdomen. The abdomen is broken down into four quadrants; right upper; left upper, right lower and left lower. The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen that also contains the stomach, left kidney left renal artery and portions of the pancreas, small intestine and colon. The spleen is typically purple or brown in color and is the size of a fist located behind the stomach.

This organ is also the largest lymphatic organ in the body. Lymphatic vessels carry molecules that contain protein, glucose, salt, and other fluids throughout our body. The spleen works with the lymphatic system protecting out body by fighting against infection by clearing out the old red blood cells from the bloodstream. This organ assists the body in the fight against infection by utilizing the lymphocytes and macrophages, which are white blood cells. Together the lymphocytes and macrophages attempt to destroy and overcome foreign matter, dead tissue, and bacteria by blood filtration. The spleen has two types of tissue a white and red pulp. The lymphocytes are produced for protection of the immune system by the white pulp. The spleen’s storage reservoir and filtering system for blood is actions of the red pulp. The white and red pulps are incasing in the spleen surrounded by mass of lymph and blood