SPLEEN

It is a lymphatic organ connected to blood vascular system.

LOCATION

Mainly in left hypochondrium and partly in epigastrium.

SHAPE

Wedge-shaped organ (tetrahedral in shape).

DIMENSIONS

Soft, highly vascular and dark in colour.

• On average – 2.5 cm thick
• 7.5 cm broad
• 12.5 cm long
• 70 to 200 g in weight

POSITION

• Lie obliquely along the long axis of 10^th rib.
• Directed downwards, forward and laterally.

EXTERNAL FEATURES

1. Two ends- Anterior or lateral end

                            –Posterior or medial end

       2. Three borders- Superior

                                    –Inferior

                                    –Intermediate

       3. Two surfaces- Diaphragmatic surface (convex and smooth)

                                  –Visceral surface (concave and irregular)

        4. Hilum– Lie b/w superior & intermediate borders.

                       –Pierced by branches & tributaries of splenic vessels.

RELATIONS OF SPLEEN

• Peritoneal relations- Surrounded by peritoneum & suspended by ligament.

1. Gastrosplenic ligament
2. Lienorenal ligament
3. Phrenicocolic ligament

• Visceral relations

1. GASTRIC IMPRESSION- Fundus of stomach.

b/w superior & intermediate border.

       2. RENAL IMPRESSION- Left kidney.

b/w inferior & intermediate border.

       3. COLIC IMPRESSION- Splenic flexure of colon.

Occupies triangular area of anterior border.

       4. PANCREATIC IMPRESSION- Tail of pancreas.

b/w hilum & colic impression.

       5. HILUM- Lie on inferomedial part of gastric impression.

NEUROVASCULAR SUPPLY

• Artery- Splenic artery
• Vein- Splenic vein
• Lymph- Celiac node
• Innervation- Coeliac plexus

CLINICAL ANATOMY

• Palpation of spleen
• Splenomegaly
• Splenectomy