What Does the Spleen Do?
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The function of the spleen, a lymphatic organ located in the abdominal cavity, was not known until fairly recently. Though the spleen and the "black bile" it secretes have had various meanings in the folk medicine of various cultures since ancient times, its actual functions remained a mystery until the mid-20th century. In humans, the spleen consists of two different tissue types — red pulp and white pulp — with two distinct functions.
In Ancient Greece, the spleen was believed to produce black bile or melancholy, one of the "four humours" that had to be balanced in the body for proper functioning. An excess of black bile was considered responsible for melancholia, a condition that is currently recognized as clinical depression. In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen is said to influence one's temperament and willpower.
Today, the spleen is more completely understood. Red pulp, also called splenic pulp, consists of blood and reticular fibers. This portion of the human spleen helps to filter the blood, purging it of unwanted elements which contain red blood cells that have aged to the point of deterioration. White pulp, also called Malpighian bodies of the spleen or splenic lymphoid nodules, refers to small nodules within the spleen that are rich in lymphocytes and help to fight infection.
The spleen is a very important organ, and asplenia, a condition in which the spleen is not present either congenitally or due to removal in surgery, has been linked to an increased predisposition to certain infections. The spleen also serves as an emergency reservoir of blood. In some animals, it stores red blood cells, while in humans, it stores platelets, the clotting agent in blood.
The spleen also has a few minor functions. In the human fetus, the spleen is a secondary site of red blood cell production until the fifth month of gestation, though after birth, red blood cells are only produced in the bone marrow. Other metabolic products, however, are produced in the spleen throughout adulthood; namely, opsonins, properdin, and tuftsin.
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29
I went for an ultrasound this morning and the sound technician and her supervisor says that they cannot locate my spleen and asked whether i had it removed earlier. I have never had surgery in my life., My question is, is it possible for someone to born without a spleen and what are the dangers? - anon64144
27
My spleen was removed three years ago and now i have lower left abdomen pain near the tummy where the scar is.The doctor takes too much time and i don't what i have to do. - anon61918
26
i don't know much about spleens but i do know a little bit about chinese acupuncture, having had it done on me before, and i swear by it. in western medicine all it does is 'release a certain hormone' but in chinese medicine it moves the chi around your body the way it should do, and the herbalist who did my acupuncture said she had part of her spleen removed because of a stress related illness which everyone thought was cancer. if you know someone who does chinese acupuncture it's really worth giving it a try if you are suffering from symptoms that the doctor gives you useless pills for. i hope this can be of help to someone. - anon59308
25
The spleen is a reservoir for huge numbers of immune cells called monocytes. In the event of a serious health crisis, such as a heart attack, wound or infection, the spleen will disgorge them into bloodstream to help defend the body. - anon59141
24
Jessica, people all over the south certainly have had their spleens removed, and do not catch pneumonia. In any event, there is such a thing as a pneumonia vaccine, and your doctor can tell you whether you need one each year, or not. Cold weather does not cause pneumonia or the flu. If your doctor recommends you take the vaccines, you might consider following his/her advice. - amypollick
23
I had my spleen removed 22 years ago, I fell out of a tree. It was too far damaged to be saved. I have never had problems with being sick and have never got a flu shot. But I have always lived on the Gulf. In a week I am going north skiing for vacation, then in three weeks I'm moving to north Tennessee. Should I be worried about catching the flu, or worse, pneumonia? - jessicaa
22
do we need to have a shot every five years and what would be the name of the shot that needs to be taken every five years after splenectomy?
- anon50748
20
can i live without a spleen? - anon50413
19
I had my spleen removed in January 1990 (ruptured due to an auto accident). This coming January will mark 20 years since my splenectomy and I've had no problems. I get a pneumonia vaccine every 10 years and a flu vaccine every year, which will include an H1N1 vaccine this year. - anon48996
18
It was three years old when I ruptured my spleen. It wasn't all that bad so the doctors were able to repair it. I have not had any problems that come to my immediate attention. - anon43210
17
to Anon40533: Have your uric acid checked. It sounds like you have gout. I had the same problem. The doctor gave me pills, and after a month or so, the pains stopped. Good Luck - anon42738
16
Hi. During recent accupuncture, my practitioner informed me the pain in my arch of my feet was due to my spleen. I do drink a fair amount of all 3: beer, wine and spirits. Could this be a cause of the occasional sharp pains I feel in my foot? - anon40533
15
Sorry about the entry anon. I don't know how it entered my answer as you, but there is my answer.
No. 14. - snipermom
14
Anon, I have been having these symptoms for two years. Right after the motorcycle accident and a few months after it I started to notice how rigid my stomach was and when I cough it hurts. I look like I am several months pregnant and the stomach is firm to the touch. I was in emergency surgery for over 4 hours and my spleen was shattered. My doctor was entered into a medical journal because of the extent of my injury. He took my appendix out at the same time. My heart also stopped several times and I was restarted so to speak. Sorry...I digress. I hope this helps a little. I would love to get to the bottom of this because I am in a lot of discomfort and I have to wear loose clothes now to accommodate my belly. - anon36795
13
Snipermom, just the reply from Shellys. How long since you had your spleen removed? My problems have gotten worse but have not been back to the doctor since he just keeps giving me pills that do not help. What problems are you experiencing? - anon36553
12
Did anyone answer you, reeb? I have the same problem after a motorcycle accident. - snipermom
11
I recently had a cat scan; as a result I was diagnosed with 2 spleens. What are the medical consequences of having 2 spleens and should I be concerned? Is this why my stomach protrudes; I always thought it was caused from numerous surgeries.
Please help me understand this oddity. - WIHawkFan
9
So far, I've been "spleen free" for 20 years. I'm 32 now, have 3 kids, and the only thing I've noticed was the big scar. I do have to get the numo-vac shot every 10 years though, but aside from that, I've had no side effects. - anon35235
8
12 years ago,I was in a severe car wreck, which left me in a coma for 28 days. I had a lot of broken bones and a ruptured spleen to mention a small amount that was wrong with me, is it the head injury, or is it the removal of my spleen that has me quick to fly of the handle? I've always had a bad temper, but it would take me a while to reach that boiling point. Now it's quick and the feeling I get flowing through my body is just undescribable. Please help me understand this thing. I've been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder,anxiety and intermittent explosive disorder. please help! - anon31798
7
My husbands side is extended. We finally got him an appointment at the va. The doctor said that it was his spleen so they made him another appt. for blood work and ultrasound. Now the little bit I have read so far they mention the liver also, my husband also has hep c. I'm just not sure what I'm really asking, this is just all new for us. We just found out yesterday. So what are we in for?Concerned wife
- anon29472
6
Be aware that if the spleen is removed that pneumonia can be fatal to that person within hours. Any illness which has fever and chills in a person without a spleen should be treated as serious. Watch for this especially 3 to 5 years after the operation. And keep penicillin handy! - fofifo2
5
You will still be sick after gall bladder surgery for some time as the body adjusts to the big change. - anon24016
4
my daughter has just had a ultrasound and they have said she has an extra bit on her spleen a pocket, what could this be? - anon21513
3
I ruptured my spleen when I fell on my bicycle at four years old. I had exploratory surgery and they removed it. I am now 49 (female), I have not had any infections to speak of; just the normal childhood chicken pox, colds and flus. I also had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago. I can eat anything I want, I have not had any digestion problems. No abdominal pain or bloating. - shellys
2
Looking for anyone who has had their spleen removed that is experiencing issues with abdomen being extended, very hard and a lot of pressure. Also any numbness under the skin where the incision was made to remove the spleen. I also had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks before the spleen and have had constant digestive problems too but don't know if they are totally related to that or if the removal of the Spleen could be a part of digestive issue too. - reeb
1
If spleen raptures, due to some abdominal injury or illness, it can cause severe internal bleeding. In some cases spleen has to be removed. People can live without spleen, however, they are much more likely to get infections. - elfi64
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Written by
Niki Foster
Last Modified: 05 February 2010
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