Functions of Spleen

Spleen

Spleen is bean-shaped organ present below the diaphragm on the left side inside the rib which is 9 and 11. Our left kidney is present below the spleen. The tail of pancreas touches the spleen. Splenic artery, splenic vein and lymphatic vessels enter and leave the spleen through hilum. 

Functions of spleen

Spleen produces red blood cells in case of anemia and at fetus journey inside mother's womb. In adults, its main function is blood filtration and adaptive immune response.

 There are two types of tissues in spleen which is white pulp and red pulp.

Red pulp is composed of splenic cords and venous sinuses, It filtrates our blood circulation by detecting old and damaged red blood cells. Inside red pulp, unhealthy RBC'S leave blood Vessels and enter a system called 'Open Circulation' where macrophages engulf unhealthy cells. Through Venous Sinuses, healthy red blood cells bend and move very quickly while old ones are fragile and can't so destroyed by macrophages.

 White pulp is composed of lymphatic tissues which contain white blood cells acts like lymph node inside body. Lymph nodes detects antigens and pathogens in lymph while white pulp of spleen detects them in blood. White pulp has B-cell zone, a germinal center when encounter with pathogens activates B-cells and T-cells to produce antibodies.

Spleen contains quarter of body red blood cells and platelets, when body lacks blood spleen fulfills the need of it. Spleen acts as a reservoir for blood. When body loss its blood in accidents, sympathetic system of spleen releases bloods instantly in crises for body by contracting its capsule.