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Preksha Dhyana :
SPLEEN Strange as it may seem, spleen is classified as a lymphoid organ. It is a dark purple coloured organ, 14 cms. long, 8 cms. broad and 3 to 4 cms. thick. It is situated directly below the diaphragm above the left kidney, and behind the stomach. It is a versatile organ performing a number of different functions. Some of the important functions are : (1) The spleen acts as a filter capturing and removing
bacteria, debris, parasites and other infectious agents.
from the blood-stream. (2) It is the grave-yard of the red blood cells. Old and
word-out cells rupture as they try to squeeze through the narrow channels of the spleen and are destroyed. The haemoglobin from the destroyed cells is broken down ; iron and globin are salvaged and returned
to the blood-stream for recycling. (3) Spleen joins with other lymphoid organs (particularly
the thymus) in the immune response of the body. They produce antibodies (immunoglobulins) which are released into the blood-stream conferring humoral immunity against specific bacterial infec
tions. (4) Before birth, spleen manufactured red blood-cells.
It is ready to regain its ability to produce red cells
in an emergency such as anemia. (5) It acts as a blood-lake and a reservoir for red cells
sending stored blood into circulation when needed. The blood stored in the spleen has a higher concentration of blood-cells and can increase the hematocritè of the system by as much as 3 to 4%.
1. Percentage of the red cells in the total blood volume is
called hematocrit. Its average value is about 45% in man and 42% in woman.
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