This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Ruptured spleen Open pop-up dialog box Close. Ruptured spleen The spleen is located just under your rib cage on your left side.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Splenic injury. Mayo Clinic; Maung AA, et al.
Management of splenic injury in the adult trauma patient. Below is a 3D model of the spleen, which is fully interactive. Explore the 3D model, using your mouse pad or touchscreen, to understand more about the spleen. Although it varies in size between individuals, a spleen is typically around 3—5. The spleen is a soft organ with a thin outer covering of tough connective tissue, called a capsule. There is a handy rule to remember the rough dimensions of the spleen, called the 1x3x5x7x9x11 rule:.
It measures approximately 1 inch by 3 inches by 5 inches, weighs around 7 oz, and is positioned between the 9th and 11th ribs. Anything that relates to the spleen is referred to as splenic; the spleen receives blood through the splenic artery, and blood leaves the spleen through the splenic vein. Although the spleen is connected to the blood vessels of the stomach and pancreas, it is not involved in digestion. Red pulp: Contains venous sinuses cavities filled with blood , and splenic cords connective tissues containing red blood cells and white blood cells.
As blood flows into the spleen, it performs a quality control service, detecting any red blood cells that are old or damaged. Blood flows through a maze of passages in the spleen. Healthy cells flow straight through, but those considered to be unhealthy are broken down by large white blood cells called macrophages. Once the red blood cells are broken down, the spleen stores useful leftover products, such as iron, which it eventually returns to the bone marrow , which makes hemoglobin the iron-containing part of blood.
The spleen also stores blood — the blood vessels of the spleen can expand significantly. In humans, around 1 cup of blood is kept in the spleen, ready to be released if there is a significant loss of blood, after an accident, for instance. Interestingly, when a racehorse is at rest, up to half of its red blood cells are kept in the spleen.
The spleen also plays a role in the immune response by detecting pathogens bacteria, for instance , and producing white blood cells in response. Around one-quarter of our lymphocytes a type of white blood cell are stored in the spleen at any one time. As a fetus is developing, the spleen makes red blood cells, but after the fifth month of gestation, it stops. The healthy adult spleen weighs around g.
However, it can become significantly larger when a person is unwell. Certain medical conditions place great strain on the spleen and make it big splenomegaly. Some reasons for an enlarged spleen are infections malaria , liver disease and some blood cancers. Glandular fever has also been known to make spleen large and very rarely can lead to a spontaneous rupture.
Fractured ribs, from for example a car accident, can lead to the spleen being punctured by one of the pointy ends of the rib. If this happens it can be life threatening as a large amount of blood can go into the abdomen and leave the circulating blood stream. This type of bleeding can be potentially fatal and surgery to remove the spleen splenectomy is often done in an emergency. The abdominal muscles contract reflexively and feel rigid. If enough blood leaks out, blood pressure falls and people feel light-headed, have blurred vision and confusion, and lose consciousness faint.
When ribs on the left side are fractured, doctors may observe the person carefully for a spleen injury. Doctors usually do ultrasonography or computed tomography CT of the abdomen if they suspect an injury to the spleen.
Rarely, if doctors suspect a severe hemorrhage, surgery is done immediately to make a diagnosis and control the bleeding. People with severe bleeding also are given intravenous fluids and sometimes blood transfusions. Doctors used to always remove a damaged spleen. However, removing the spleen can cause later problems, including an increased susceptibility to dangerous infections. Doctors now realize that most small and moderate-sized injuries to the spleen can heal without surgery, although blood transfusions Blood Transfusion read more are sometimes required and people must be treated in the hospital.
When surgery is necessary, usually the entire spleen is removed splenectomy , but sometimes surgeons are able to repair a small tear. The splenic artery brings blood to the spleen from Merck and Co.
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