The spleen is a small purple organ that sits under the rib cage on the upper left side of your abdomen. It is very smooth and has a few functions. The main function of the spleen is to filter your blood. The spleen consists of narrows passageways that allow your blood cells to flow and filter through. The healthy cells will easily pass through but any damaged or poor quality blood cells will be removed and broken down by macrophages. It can also filter out other harmful microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses and trigger the release of lymphocytes to attack them.1
Location of the Spleen5
In addition to filtering the blood, the spleen also stored blood and iron. The iron is eventually placed in the bone marrow and used to create hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a vital part of the blood that helps transport oxygen to the rest of the body from the lungs. The blood stored can be released if any trauma occurs that causes your body to lose blood. Overall, the spleen helps the immune system by filtering the blood, and can store blood for
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The liver and lymph nodes would be able to take over and replace the job of the spleen.1 A spleen is most commonly removed after being ruptured, acquiring a disease, infection, or cancer.5 However, there are many risks of removing your spleen. The main effect of a splenectomy is an increased risk of acquiring a serious infection. After a splenectomy, doctors usually recommend vaccines, yearly flu shots, and antibiotics as a precaution.2 Children who undergo a splenectomy may be prescribed antibiotics for several years to ensure they do not get infections after surgery.3 Some symptoms to look out for after a splenectomy are chills, temperatures over 100.4 F, a sore throat, red/tender spots, and a longer than usual cold. Any of these symptoms may indicate that you have a serious infection and you should seek medical attention
Red blood cells deliver the oxygen to the muscles and organs of the body.
According to Virtual Medical Centre (2014) the primary function of the blood is to act as a transport, to give the body protection and to help regulate. The blood dissolves gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. The blood also transports vital nutrients throughout the body, such as micro-nutrients, fatty acids and amino acids. The flow of the blood helps to regulate the body’s temperature. Also the blood removes wastes material of metabolism. Blood cells (white and red cells) are carried through the body to help with the body’s natural defense, blood clotting and the carry anti-bodies.
When red blood cells start out, they are shaped like flat discs. Over time, when passing through the spleen, pieces of the membrane are removed, causing the red blood cells to become round in shape, hence the term Spherocytosis (Seattle Childrens). When red blood cells enter the spleen, the cells undergo hemolysis. Hemolysis in hereditary spherocytosis results in the interplay of an intact spleen and an intrinsic membrane protein defect (Medscape). The breakdown of red blood cells is called hemolytic anemia (Wint Carmella).
The largest lymphatic organ in the body is the spleen. The spleen stores healthy blood cells and breaks down aging red blood cells. It also helps make lymphocytes and other types of red blood cells. Another function of the spleen is it collects pathogens from the blood and attacks the trapped pathogens. The adenoids are masses of lymph tissue found in the nose and throat. The two ...
The pancreas can be divided into two sections when studying the histology. The pancreas has exocrine and endocrine functions, each with unique cell types. The exocrine pancreas serves to secrete digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Some of the specific enzymes and secreted substances are Proteases, lipase, amylase, bicarbonate, and water (Bowen, “Exocrine Secretions”). These enzymes are used to break down protein, fat, and carbohydrates respectively. The bicarbonate simply act as an acid buffer to prevent damage of the small intestine as the stomach acid must be neutralized. The enzymes are created in acinar cells and the bicarbonate is synthesized in epithelial cells surrounding pancreatic ducts (Bowen “Exocrine
The spleen is a fist-sized, spongy organ located behind the stomach (removed in this illustration), just under the diaphragm. Part of the lymphatic system, the spleen is composed of two types of tissue. White pulp produces lymphocytes, which release antibodies into the bloodstream to combat infection. More prominent is the red pulp, in which macrophages filter broken cells, parasites, bile pigments, and other useless substances from the blood. Iron from broken red blood cells is stored in the spleen for later use. Despite this variety of functions, an injured or diseased spleen can be removed in adults without great consequence.
The skeletal provides functions such as support, protection, and movement. The skeletal system provides a framework that supports the body with muscles attached to them acting as levers allowing for movement. As bones are very rigid they provide support for vital organs such as the heart, lungs and brain. A physiological function of the skeletal system is the production of stem cells through red bone marrow found in the proximal epiphysis (the ends) which can become lymphocytes (white blood cells), erythrocytes (red blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets).
The kidney is a bean shaped organ found in the lumbar region of the body. The kidney is one of the most important organs in our body. When the kidney is not working correctly it effects many other systems in the body. The three main functions of the kidney are filtering the blood, reabsorbing key molecules and maintaining water and ion balance. Although the kidney has many other functions these are the three that will be discussed in this paper.
The Circulatory System is a transportation and cooling system for the body. The Red Blood Cells act like billions of little mail men carrying all kinds of things that are needed by the cells, also RBC's carry oxygen and nutrients to the cells. All cells in the body require oxygen to remain alive. Also there is another kind of cells called white blood cells moving in the system. Why blood cells protect from bacteria and other things that are harmful. The Circulatory system contains vein arteries, veins are used to carry blood to the heart and arteries to carry the blood away. The blood inside veins is where most of the oxygen and nutrients are and is called deoxygenated and the color of the blood is dark red. However, blood in the arteries are also full of oxygen but is a bright red. The main components of the circulatory system are the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
The liver is the largest internal organ in our body, weighing about 3 pounds. It is reddish-brown and rubbery to the touch (WebMD, n.d.). Our liver is one of the most important organs in our bodies. It exists to process nutrients from the food we eat, make proteins, make bile and remove toxins.
The Spleen by Anne Finch, the Countess of Winchelsea, presents an interesting poetic illustration of depression in the spleen. The spleen for Finch is an enigma, it is mysterious, shape-shifting, and melancholic. Melancholy leads the subject to flashes of a grander, terrifying emotion: the sublime. The subject of Finch’s Pindaric ode experiences the sublime, and yet has the uncanny ability to reflect and reason on the feeling with acuity--even though the subject suffers from depression, which in effect dulls sensory information. The fact that she intensely perceives the sublime suggests a paradox where dulled senses can produce a penetrative emotional episode. To understand the paradox, the theory of the sublime and Finch’s engagement with the sublime in The Spleen must be traced to conceive the state of the dulled mind in the thrall of an infinite, and transcendent wave of emotion. The focus of this essay is that Finch understands that Dullness, as a by-product of depression, enables rational thought during a sublime experience. Furthermore, she thus illustrates her experience through images where she emphasizes her sensory information and her feelings, which were supposedly numbed by depression. Her feelings, indicated in The Spleen, are the crux to how Finch is able to simultaneously feel numb, and process the sublime.
A spleen rupture involves a powerful blow to the abdomen that can rupture the spleen, allowing large amounts of blood to make its way into the abdominal cavity. This blood loss is often recognized as pleuritic pain and hemodynamic instability. It often only occurs when there is a direct impact to this specific part of the abdomen. This injury is extremely painful and requires medical attention a soon as possible, or death may occur. This type of injury usually requires immediate surgery.
The lymphatic system is a link of tissues and organs that help clear the poisonous toxins, waste and further unwanted elements that are inside the human body. The key function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph which is a watery fluid substance holding infection that are fighting white blood cells, all over the human body.
The Cell, the fundamental structural unit of all living organisms. Some cells are complete organisms, such as the unicellular bacteria and protozoa, others, such as nerve, liver, and muscle cells, are specialized components of multicellular organisms. In another words, without cells we wouldn’t be able to live or function correctly. There are Animal Cells and Plant Cells. In Biology class the other day we studied the Animal Cell. We were split into groups of our own and we each picked a different animal cell slide to observe. My group chose the slide,'; Smeared Frog Blood ';.
Red Blood Cells contain hemoglobin molecules to help bind to oxygen to bring to other tissues. Without this function, cells would not be able to go through the process of cellular respiration and can only survive a short time. Red Blood Cells are also able to carry bicarbonate as a waste product and carry a variety of hormones to communicate between organs.