Spleen A&P

Question 1

is the spleen intra or retroperitoneal?

Answer 1

intraperitoneal

Question 2

where in the abd cavity can you see the spleen?

Answer 2

LUQ, anterior & superior to diaphragm, lateral to stomach

Question 3

what structures does the visceral surface of the spleen conform to?

Answer 3

stomach, left kidney, left flexure of colon

Question 4

the diaphragmatic surface of the spleen is nodular & convex. T/F?

Answer 4

false – it’s smooth and convex

Question 5

what structures enter & exit out of the splenic hilum?

Answer 5

splenic artery, splenic vein, lymphatics, nerves

Question 6

where is the splenic vein in comparison to the tail & body of the pancreas?

Answer 6

SV is directly posterior to tail & body of pancreas

Question 7

the splenic artery branches from ___ ___ & courses ___ to ___ & ___ of pancreas to enter the ___ of the spleen

Answer 7

celiac axis; superior; body; tail; hilum

Question 8

what is the normal size of the spleen in sag?

Answer 8

10-12cm (craniocaudal)

Question 9

what size is considered splenomegaly?

Answer 9

> 13 cm

Question 10

what types of tissue are in the spleen?

Answer 10

1. red pulp
2. white pulp

Question 11

what does red pulp contain?

Answer 11

venous sinuses
lymphocytes
macrophages
red blood cells

Question 12

what does white pulp contain?

Answer 12

lymphocytes

Question 13

where is white pulp in the spleen?

Answer 13

throughout the red pulp; white pulp surrounds arterioles

Question 14

6 splenic functions

Answer 14

1. filters blood
2. plays a part in immunity
3. phagocytose old RBCs through macrophages
4. blood reservoir
5. makes plasma cells
6. makes RBCs in embryonic life

Question 15

5 splenic lab values

Answer 15

1. hematocrit
2. hemoglobin
3. RBC count
4. WBC count
5. CBC count

Question 16

5 congenital anomalies/variants of the spleen?

Answer 16

1. asplenia
2. polysplenia
3. accessory spleen/splenunculi
4. splenic clefts
5. ectopic spleen

Question 17

what is asplenia associated with?

Answer 17

congestive heart disease

Question 18

where can accessory spleens be found?

Answer 18

throughout the body but most common at the splenic hilum & pancreas tail

Question 19

US app of accessory spleen?

Answer 19

well-defined, encapsulated, nodular mass

Question 20

echogenicity of accessory spleen compared to spleen?

Answer 20

isoechoic to normal spleen

Question 21

another name for accessory spleen?

Answer 21

splenunculi

Question 22

3 other names for ectopic spleen

Answer 22

1. wandering spleen
2. aberrant spleen
3. floating spleen

Question 23

an ectopic spleen is prone to torsion. T/F?

Answer 23

true