Chapter 6: The Spleen

Question 1

a rare malignant tumor of the spleen that is derived from blood vessels

Answer 1

angiosarcoma

Question 2

a herpes virus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis

Answer 2

Epstein-Barr infection

Question 3

small echogenic calcifications that result from inflammation of the tissue in that area

Answer 3

granulomas

Question 4

a benign tumor composed of blood vessels

Answer 4

hemangioma

Question 5

a disease that results from the inhalation of an airborne fungus that can affect the lungs and may spread to other organs

Answer 5

histoplasmosis

Question 6

specialized tissue within the spleen that performs its phagocytic function

Answer 6

red pulp

Question 7

a systemic disease that results in the development of granulomas throughout the body

Answer 7

sarcoidosis

Question 8

specialized lymphatic tissue within the spleen

Answer 8

white pulp

Question 9

the spleen is a(n) _____________ organ

Answer 9

intraperitoneal

Question 10

primary function of the spleen

Answer 10

filters blood

Question 11

function of the spleen in the fetus

Answer 11

erythropoiesis

Question 12

produces lymphocytes in the spleen to aid the immune system

Answer 12

white pulp

Question 13

performs the phagocytic function in the spleen

Answer 13

red pulp

Question 14

the splenic artery marks the superior border of what?

Answer 14

the pancreatic body and tail

Question 15

the splenic vein joins with the ______ posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the ____________

Answer 15

SMV

portal vein

Question 16

the spleen __________ in size with advancing age

Answer 16

decreases

Question 17

the most common abnormality of the spleen

Answer 17

splenomegaly

Question 18

the spleen should never measure more than ____ in length and ____ in thickness

Answer 18

12 cm

5 cm

Question 19

the most common cause of splenomegaly

Answer 19

portal hypertension

Question 20

Clinical findings:
palpable, enlarged spleen
hemolytic abnormalities
trauma
infection
possible elevated white blood cell and/or red blood cell count

Answer 20

splenomegaly

Question 21

Sonographic findings:

enlargement of the spleen to greater than 12 cm length or 5 cm thickness

Answer 21

splenomegaly

Question 22

Clinical findings:
asymptomatic
pain can occur with hemorrhage

Answer 22

splenic cyst

Question 23

Sonographic findings:
thin-walled
anechoic mass
posterior enhancement

Answer 23

splenic cyst

Question 24

Clinical findings:

sudden onset of LUQ pain

Answer 24

splenic infarct

Question 25

Sonographic findings: acute - hypoechoic, wedge-shaped mass within the spleen chronic - hyperechoic, wedge-shaped mass within the spleen

Answer 25

splenic infarct

Question 26

Clinical findings: blunt trauma to the LUQ severe LUQ pain decreased hematocrit level indicating active bleeding

Answer 26

splenic trauma

Question 27

Sonographic findings: acute hemorrhage - isoechoic later stages of hemorrhage - anechoic or echogenic can have a complex appearance or calcified walls

Answer 27

splenic trauma

Question 28

Clinical findings: asymptomatic pain occurs with hemorrhage

Answer 28

splenic hemangioma

Question 29

Sonographic findings: | well-defined, hyperechoic mass

Answer 29

splenic hemangioma

Question 30

small echogenic foci seen throughout the spleen

Answer 30

granulomas

Question 31

primary malignant tumor of the spleen

Answer 31

angiosarcoma

Question 32

most common malignancy of the spleen

Answer 32

lymphoma

Question 33

``` A rare malignant tumor of the spleen that consists of blood vessels is a/an: A. lymphoma B. angiosarcoma C. hemangioma D. granuloma ```

Answer 33

angiosarcoma

Question 34

``` What is the most common sonographic appearance of a splenic hemangioma? A. echogenic B. hypoechoic C. anechoic D. complex ```

Answer 34

echogenic

Question 35

The splenic artery marks the: A. posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail B. superior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail C. medial surface of the pancreatic body and tail D. lateral aspect of the pancreatic body and tail

Answer 35

superior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail

Question 36

``` The type of tissue within the spleen that is responsible for its phagocytic function is the: A. red pulp B. white pulp C. culling pulp D. pitting pulp ```

Answer 36

red pulp

Question 37

``` A 32-year-old female patient presents to the ultrasound department for an abdominal sonogram. An evaluation of the spleen reveals a 1-cm, rounded, echogenic mass that does not produce acoustic shadowing. What is the most likely diagnosis? A. pheochromocytoma B. lipoma C. splenic metastasis D. hemangioma ```

Answer 37

hemangioma

Question 38

``` The type of tissue within the spleen that is responsible for its lymphatic function is the: A. red pulp B. white pulp C. culling segment D. pitting segment ```

Answer 38

white pulp

Question 39

The splenic vein marks the: A. posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail B. anterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail C. medial surface of the pancreatic body and tail D. lateral aspect of the pancreatic body and tail

Answer 39

posterior aspect of the pancreatic body and tail

Question 40

``` All of the following are functions of the spleen except: A. storage of iron B. defense against disease C. blood reservoir D. destruction of phagocytic cells ```

Answer 40

destruction of phagocytic cells

Question 41

``` All of the following can be associated with splenomegaly except: A. trauma B. hemolytic abnormalities C. mononucleosis D. pancreatitis ```

Answer 41

pancreatitis

Question 42

``` Diffuse involvement of lymphoma or leukemia of the spleen will often lead to: A. splenomegaly B. splenic atrophy C. Epstein-Barr infection D. splenic torsion ```

Answer 42

splenomegaly

Question 43

``` The splenic artery originates at the: A. superior mesenteric artery B. inferior phrenic artery C. celiac trunk D. gastroduodenal artery ```

Answer 43

celiac trunk

Question 44

``` A 35-year-old male patient presents to the ultrasound department for an abdominal sonogram with a history of abdominal pain and histoplasmosis. What are you more likely to identify within the spleen? A. multiple histomas B. multiple hemangiomas C. multiple metastatic lesions D. multiple granulomas ```

Answer 44

multiple granulomas

Question 45

``` A 14-year-old male patient presents to the ultrasound department after falling from his bicycle. An abdominal sonogram reveals a complex-appearing mass within the spleen. This most likely represents a: A. splenic hemangioma B. splenic granuloma C. splenic hematoma D. splenic infarct ```

Answer 45

splenic hematoma

Question 46

``` Sickle cell disease will often lead to: A. splenic metastasis B. sarcoidosis C. splenomegaly D. wandering spleen ```

Answer 46

splenomegaly

Question 47

Epstein-Barr infection is best described as: A. a herpesvirus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis in children B. a herpesvirus that is often associated with splenic granulomatous disease C. an infection that results in sickle cell anemia in children D. an infection within a splenic hematoma following blunt trauma

Answer 47

a herpesvirus that can lead to infectious mononucleosis in children

Question 48

``` The spleen removes irregular cells from the bloodstream and retains them through a process called: A. pitting B. culling C. crimping D. amassing ```

Answer 48

culling

Question 49

``` What systemic disease results in the development of granulomas within the spleen and throughout the body? A. granulomatosis B. sarcoidosis C. sickle cell anemia D. histoplasmosis ```

Answer 49

sarcoidosis

Question 50

``` From the list below, what is the most likely clinical finding of a patient who has a splenic hemangioma? A. fever B. decreased hematocrit C. elevated WBC count D. none ```

Answer 50

none

Question 51

All of the following are true of the spleen except: A. it is the largest structure of the reticuloendothelial system B. the primary objective of the spleen is to filter the peripheral blood C. the spleen has a convex inferior margin and a concave superior border D. the spleen is considered the largest lymphatic organ

Answer 51

the spleen has a convex inferior margin and a concave superior border

Question 52

``` The splenic vein joins with what structure posterior to the pancreatic neck to form the portal vein? A. inferior mesenteric artery B. superior mesenteric vein C. left renal vein D. main hepatic vein ```

Answer 52

superior mesenteric vein