Spleen A&P

Question 1

is the spleen an intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal organ?

Answer 1

intraperitoneal

Question 2

_____________ attaches the spleen to the stomach

Answer 2

gastrosplenic ligament

Question 3

T/F: the spleen is essential to life

Answer 3

FALSE, it is not essential to life

Question 4

SAG measurement of the spleen

Answer 4

< 12 cm

Question 5

AP measurement of the spleen

Answer 5

< 5 cm

Question 6

spleen diameter

Answer 6

6 to 7 cm

Question 7

what are the functions of the spleen (5)

Answer 7

1. defense against infection
2. hematopoiesis/erthropoiesis
3. destruction and removal of flawed RBCs and platelets
4. blood reservoir
5. storage of iron

Question 8

in the fetus, the spleen is responsible for erythropoiesis, but in adults it is performed by

Answer 8

bone marrow

Question 9

hematopoietic function can return in adults in cases of severe _________

Answer 9

anemia (extramedullay hematopoiesis)

Question 10

specialized tissue of the spleen that contains RBCs and macrophages and performs the phagocytic function

Answer 10

red pulp (80%)

Question 11

what is culling?

Answer 11

removal of damaged RBCs from circulation

Question 12

what is pitting?

Answer 12

repairing of RBCs by removing unwanted material

Question 13

specialized tissue of the spleen that performs the lymphatic function

Answer 13

white pulp (20%)

Question 14

what are the 3 functions of white pulp?

Answer 14

1. maintain fluid balance
2. defend the body against diseases
3. absorb fats and vitamins

Question 15

the splenic artery is a branch of the ______ and travels along the _____ border of the pancreatic body and tail

Answer 15

celiac trunk
anterior

Question 16

the splenic vein travels along the _______ border of the pancreatic tail and body

Answer 16

posterior

Question 17

the splenic vein joins the ____ and _____

Answer 17

IMV and SMV

Question 18

another name for accessory spleen (2)

Answer 18

1. spleniculi
2. supernumeray spleen

Question 19

an accessory spleen is most often found where?

Answer 19

around the splenic hilum

Question 20

size of an accessory spleen is usually

Answer 20

1 to 3 cm

Question 21

lacks one or more of the ligaments that hold the spleen in its normal position

Answer 21

wandering spleen

Question 22

a wandering spleen is prone to ______

Answer 22

torsion

Question 23

what is the best transducer to scan the spleen?

Answer 23

3.0 to 5.0 MHz curved

Question 24

indications for a spleen ultrasound (4)

Answer 24

1. splenomegaly
2. infection
3. palpable LUQ mass
4. HIV/AIDS

Question 25

the spleen is isoechoic to slightly hyperechoic to the

Answer 25

liver

Question 26

the fundus of the stomach, lesser sac, and pancreatic tail are ____ and ____ to the splenic hilum

Answer 26

medial and anterior

Question 27

the left kidney lies ____ and ____ to the spleen

Answer 27

inferior and medial

Question 28

wandering spleen is also known as

Answer 28

splenoptosis

Question 29

suspensory ligaments of the spleen include (4)

Answer 29

gastrosplenic ligament colicosplenic ligament phrenocolic ligament phrenosplenic ligament

Question 30

what is the thymus?

Answer 30

lymphatic organ that plays a vital role in the development of the immune system during childhood

Question 31

you would only scan the thymus on what kind of patients?

Answer 31

young patients - children or neonates