Where is the spleen? Dimensions: norm in adults and children

For a long time, the spleen was considered a vestige, an incomprehensible and useless remnant of the past. This error led to the fact that for some time the spleen was actively removed, as was the appendix. But times change, now it became clear that without a spleen, the quality of life will certainly fall. But what is this mysterious organ? Where is it located and what functions does it perform?

General characteristics

Not many can boast of knowledge about where the spleen is from a person. It is located slightly to the left and above the stomach - in the left hypochondrium. The weight of a healthy spleen in an adult is usually between 150-200 grams. This body takes an active part in the circulation - through it every minute passes about 200 ml of blood. Naturally, this happens for a reason. The spleen has several functions, the importance of which can not be overemphasized.

In the normal state, this organ does not take up much space. One way to determine if your spleen is healthy is the size. The norm in adults is approximately 8-15 cm in length and 6-9 cm in width. Diseases of the spleen often cause a serious increase in its size. Of course, without this strange body you can live. But will life be as good as before? No. Studies have shown that a person without a spleen is more susceptible to viral diseases than one who has retained this important organ. It grows in proportion to our body, so the size of the spleen in children depends on age and height. For example, in the period from 3 to 7 years, the average length of this organ is about 65 mm, and the width is about 50 mm.

What is responsible for the spleen

As it turned out, this supposedly useless organ, in fact, performs many tasks, which the official medicine of the past did not even suspect. One of the functions of the spleen is the accumulation of blood to throw it out at the time of extreme physical exertion or with heavy bleeding. In especially severe cases, good red blood cells are thrown out of this reservoir, the stock of which is always stored inside for an emergency.

The spleen constantly filters blood, removing toxins, harmful microbes and spent red blood cells. In its depths, they are sorted out into component components, some of which are involved in the formation of new red blood cells, and some of the iron is deposited in special stores. Also in the spleen are formed lymphocytes and antibodies, which counteract the pathogens of diseases throughout the body.

Structure

The bulk of the spleen is red pulp, which is held by connective tissue strands. It is permeated with a huge number of blood vessels, which contain blood cells, waiting for their fate. It is here that the obsolete blood cells are filtered out and destroyed and foreign bodies are caught. If the system needs additional portions of blood, then the spleen is obligingly providing it from its reservoirs. Did you ever feel a cutting pain in your left side during running or other physical exertion? This signals that the spleen lobules have released into the blood stream a good portion of blood, in order to facilitate your life.

In addition to the red pulp, there is also white, which performs a completely different function. It "ripens" lymphocytes and produces antibodies that protect the body from foreign agents. This is why people who have been removed from this useful organ often suffer from disease.

Unique body

Spleen - the only place in the human body, where there is an open blood flow. All other circulatory systems are of a closed nature. But, in order to successfully cope with the storage of large volumes of blood, the spleen works like a sponge. Its vessels and capillaries pour directly into the tissues of the organ, which absorb blood, while expanding. This feature allows you to accumulate significant amounts of blood, if necessary.

For example, if a serious amount of toxins enters the human body, they will begin to accumulate in the spleen, waiting for the protective cells to disassemble them. With some diseases, this useful organ expands so much that it has to be removed. But not always removal of the spleen leads to a favorable result, sometimes it only gets worse.

Injuries and injuries

Undoubtedly, one of the most important criteria by which the spleen is evaluated is the size. The norm in adults is that the ribs can not completely protect it. A small piece of the tender organ remains completely naked, which makes it possible to damage it. If a serious spleen injury occurs, a rupture may occur, resulting in intense internal bleeding. This can become life-threatening, so in such cases, the unfortunate body must be removed. It is almost impossible to sew a torn pulp, as its tender tissues are torn in any attempt at intervention.

In general, the liver and spleen require caution, because some of these delicate and fragile organs, in fact, is not protected by anything. Because of this, it is always possible to get injured by one of the most important filters of our body. Without a spleen a person can live, and the liver has an amazing ability to regenerate, but do not forget that our body is a complex mechanism. If at least one of its parts is missing or damaged, the work of the entire system is disrupted.

Diseases of the spleen

Primary diseases of this organ are rare, the main problems are caused by secondary diseases associated with the defeat of other parts of the body or with viruses. The spleen performs a protective function, constantly filters blood, delays and destroys dangerous elements. But sometimes the infection is so strong that there is no way to cope with it. In cases where the spleen norm for the removal of infections is exceeded, it itself may become a victim of microbes. It is usually enough to cure the disease, so that the filtering organ will return to normal, only in the most extreme cases, surgery may be required.

The spleen itself does not often bring problems to its owner, but such cases occur from time to time in medical practice. For example, as it turned out, a heart attack is a problem inherent not only to the heart. This kind of trouble can happen to the spleen, because through it constantly passes a significant amount of blood. There are also cases of necrosis of pulp tissues due to infectious diseases that are out of control. A lot of inconvenience can deliver a cyst in this area, especially if there is a tendency to increase it.

Splenectomy

The criterion by which the problem spleen is most often found is the size. The norm in adults is up to 15 cm in length and not more than 9 cm in width. Of course, it would be foolish to remove this useful organ at the slightest of its ailment, but sometimes it is not necessary to choose.

A splenectomy, or procedure for the removal of the spleen, is carried out in those cases when its activity threatens the life of a person. For example, such an operation sometimes helps people suffering from a reduced number of platelets in the blood. After splenectomy, the coagulability of the blood begins to improve.

The release of blood from dangerous elements is what the spleen is responsible for. Therefore, if one of the organs near it is affected by a tumor, then during its treatment or removal, splenectomy may be required. After all, a considerable amount of tumor cells will accumulate in the spleen, which can affect its tissues or go on a further journey through the body. Another reason for removing the long-suffering organ is trauma. It is not easy to restore a damaged spleen, so you often have to get rid of it.

How to care

To ensure that such a gentle body feels good, you must avoid injuries, protecting and protecting it from possible damage. Any drop or impact on the spleen can lead to severe internal bleeding. If a person with such trauma does not receive help on time, the consequences can be extremely serious, up to a lethal outcome.

If you exercise, or experience other physical activities, it is very useful to coordinate them with the natural rhythms of the spleen. The peak of its activity falls on the interval from 10 to 12 hours, at this time it is best to engage in motor activity. But between 22 and 24 hours - the time of rest spleen, during this period, do not once again bother her.

New Horizons

In the last century, the spleen was considered an unnecessary rudiment, even the most talented science luminaries could not accurately determine its function. Today it is proved that this body has a huge impact on human life. The main criterion by which it is determined whether the spleen is healthy is the size. The norm in adults can be significantly exceeded without harm to health. To date, an increase in this body does not always lead to its removal, since doctors realized that this is often just a manifestation of other diseases. Time will show how full of current knowledge about the spleen. One thing is clear - this wonderful organ has prepared for us many more surprises.