Revision lecture spleen

Question 1

what does the red pulp do?

Answer 1

recycles red blood cells, metabolises haemoglobin

Question 2

what does white pulp do?

Answer 2

antibody synthesis, removal of bacteria and blood cells coated with antibodies

Question 3

describe the blood supply from the heart to the spleen

Answer 3

aorta, abdominal aorta, celiac artery, splenic artery

Question 4

describe the veins from the spleen to the liver?

Answer 4

splenic vein to hepatic portal vein

Question 5

whats the risk of hyposplenism?

Answer 5

sepsis

Question 6

Two things that can cause hyposplenism?

Answer 6

sickle cell anaemia

splenectomy

Question 7

test for hyposplenism?

Answer 7

the presence of Howell Jolly bodies in blood film

these are normally removed by the spleen

Question 8

causes of splenomegaly and whY (3)

Answer 8

Haemolytic anaemia- Increased workload
Portal hypertension due to some liver damage- congestion and back pressure into the spleen
leukaemia/lymphomas infiltration- spleen is the location of many white blood cells

Question 9

which three pathogens are asplenic patients most at risk from?

Answer 9

Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus Influenzae
Meningococcus