Page 163 - Essential Haematology

Chapter 10 Spleen / 149

■ The normal adult spleen weighs 150 – 250 g specialized immune function against
and is 5 – 13 cm in diameter. It has a capsulated bacteria, pneumococcus,
specialized circulation because the haemophilus infl uenza and meningococcus
majority of arterioles end in ‘ cords ’ which to which splenectomized patients are SUMMARY
lack an endothelial lining. The blood immunized. Splenectomy is needed for
re - enters the circulation via venous splenic rupture and in some
sinuses. The cords and sinuses form the haematological diseases.
red pulp which monitors the integrity of red ■ Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly)

blood cells. occurs in many malignant and benign

■ The central arterioles are surrounded by haematological diseases, in portal
lymphoid tissue called white pulp which is hypertension and with systemic diseases,
similar in structure to a lymph node. including acute and chronic infections.

■ The spleen removes aged or abnormal red Hyposplenism occurs in sickle cell
cells, and excess DNA and siderotic anaemia, gluten - induced enteropathy and
granules, from intact red cells. It also has a rarely in other diseases.

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