home Consultations What is the best way to treat spleen diseases? Location of the spleen in the body

What is the best way to treat spleen diseases? Location of the spleen in the body

People are accustomed to associate ailments in the abdominal area with gastritis, diseases of the liver, intestines, biliary tract and stomach. But often nagging, periodically recurring and sharp pains are associated with problems in the functioning of the spleen.

Where is the spleen located

In the human body, several organs are responsible for the accumulation of platelets and the formation of lymphocytes. One of them is the spleen - all people need to know where the organ is located and how it hurts. Where the spleen is located depends on physiological characteristics and the height of a person. Typically, the organ is located in the left hypochondrium, a couple of centimeters to the left of the stomach. With below average height it is found near the 11th rib, and with high growth it is top part located in the area of the 8th rib.

The spleen is involved in blood purification and the life cycle of lymphocytes, producing them and producing bodies to maintain hematopoietic function. Participation in metabolic processes involves the utilization of old red blood cells and accumulated iron for the formation of hemoglobin. Lymphocytes produced by the organ act as protectors of the body. They recognize foreign agents and eliminate them.

Injuries. They can be open or closed, with or without internal bleeding. Often injuries occur as a result of a fall or pressure on the area.
Problems with blood vessels that provoke pathologies.
Malignant and benign tumors. Show themselves on late stages development and can be diagnosed by biopsy.
Cysts that interfere with normal function and blood supply.

Where does the spleen hurt?

The irradiation of unpleasant sensations is one of the main reasons why it is difficult to recognize organ damage. In case of physical injuries, pain spreads across the entire back to the lower part of the shoulder blade, following from the shoulder to the collarbone. Arterial pressure decreases, the victim’s sweating increases. The patient experiences chills. Severe hypertrophy of the organ causes a sharp, gusty cough. Symptoms of a diseased spleen include:

cardiopalmus;
painful sensations of a constant nature;
abdominal cramps;
constant weakness;
unnatural whiteness of the skin.

Spleen diseases

People who lose an organ in childhood temporarily lose the ability to resist viral infections. Occurs in 4% of the population, i.e. his complete absence. This phenomenon is accompanied by all sorts of pathologies in development. circulatory system. Diseases of the spleen are divided into primary and secondary. Primary occur in less than 15% of patients and are associated with leukemia, viral hepatitis, anthrax and other infectious diseases. TO secondary diseases include:

Heart attack. It occurs in 80% of hospitalized patients and is associated with leukemia and diseases that impair the functionality of the organs of the hematopoietic system.
Inflammation. Associated with a severe infectious, viral or invasive disease. Accompanied by the accumulation of pus, which causes the organ to increase in size.
Abscess. Provoked food poisoning, the entry of bacteria into the organ. 90% of cases of the disease are painless and go away on their own.
Cysts. They provoke damage to the spleen, interfering with blood circulation inside the organ. Can be treated with medications.

How does the spleen hurt?

At the first stage of inflammation discomfort are of a point nature. In men, the pain may radiate to groin area. The frequency of pain attacks increases over time, which makes breathing and heartbeat uneven. If your spleen hurts, you should immediately consult a doctor. In many patients, after a bruise, the area at the level of the left shoulder blade begins to ache. An increase in the size of the organ is easy to determine by palpation. It is impossible to treat it yourself without knowing the etiology of the disease.

How does the spleen hurt - symptoms in women

During pregnancy there is an increased risk of contracting Infectious mononucleosis and injure the organ. Pain in this disease is concentrated in the upper left part of the abdomen. Mononucleosis is often confused with colitis or uterine growth. If the disease is not diagnosed in time, the organ will increase in volume until it ruptures. Signs of the disease in women are similar to symptoms of the disease. Patients develop:

nausea after eating;
heaviness in the left hypochondrium;
allergies to fruits and vegetables;
constant constipation or diarrhea.

Cysts in the spleen develop in women due to frequent changes hormonal levels. Pain sensations are most often localized under the costal mesh on the left side. Patients also experience sudden changes mood, acne or excessive dry skin, noticeable weight fluctuations. Doctors diagnose problems late, after eliminating problems with the amount of hormones, when the organ is severely damaged.

Spleen - symptoms of the disease

Medicine has identified many organ diseases that have their own special manifestations. But some symptoms of the disease are similar in all cases. The patient's temperature rises and increased fatigue. Organ immune system ceases to function normally, so patients often get sick. Symptoms of spleen disease include its enlargement and increased pain at its location.

Video: why a person’s spleen can hurt

The spleen is an organ abdominal cavity, which is the largest lymphoid organ in humans. Despite the fact that its weight is about 200 grams, it performs a number of irreplaceable functions. In addition, the spleen main body immune system, which ensures the body's ability to resist viruses, bacteria and protozoal infections. The spleen identifies unwanted “guests” that have entered the human body and produces lymphocytes that successfully neutralize them.

In addition, the spleen is involved in metabolic processes, being a “bank” of blood, since it accumulates iron, from which hemoglobin is formed. The spleen can also be called a “graveyard” of blood cells, since they life cycle ends right here. Starting from prenatal development, the spleen is the main hematopoietic organ. Then the bone marrow takes over this function, and the spleen produces cells for the rest of its life that determine the functioning of the immune system.

The spleen performs another function - cleansing. It is a natural filter that removes decay products from the body: old cells, metabolic waste, viruses, sending them to the liver. So the spleen, albeit indirectly, is involved in the production of bile, and therefore in the metabolic process.

The spleen is located in the upper left part of the abdominal cavity, in the so-called left hypochondrium. She “hides” under the ribs and abdominals because she needs protection. The spleen has a delicate structure, so it is easily damaged by injury, even to the point of rupture. If this happens, then it is very easy to lose this organ. The spleen can be compared to a small bladder that has big amount channels, because it is the “door” through which blood enters from the aorta.

Above and behind it is the stomach, below is the diaphragm, and it almost touches the pancreas, left kidney and large intestine. The spleen is a flattened and elongated hemisphere that performs a number of functions, but is not one of the vital organs. But this does not mean that the spleen - extra organ. It is a so-called blood bank. It accumulates and stores blood until needed. If necessary, it begins to be released into the general blood stream. For example, when a person engages in intensive sports, he experiences severe stress. Then the blood is released exactly in the amount that is needed. The spleen “monitors” this process and maintains its balance.

It is also worth clarifying where the spleen is located in relation to the spine: it is located between the thoracic and lower edges of the first lumbar vertebra.

Depending on a person’s physique, the spleen has the following localization:

high when she's hers top part reaches the VIII rib;
low when the end of the upper part of the spleen is below the level of the 9th rib.

The spleen is unusual in that it has two superficial layers:

convex outer, which is covered with dense connective tissue;
concave internal, which contains soft pulp of two colors: red and white.

These two layers are separated by a lower rounded edge and an upper sharp one. Internal concave pulps differ in composition and functions, which perform:

The red pulp consists of a complex venous system irregular shape with unusual spindle-shaped elements. The red pulp also contains cords of Billrothe, antibody-producing plasma cells. This pulp makes up 80% of the total volume of the spleen and performs the following functions:

controls the balance of old platelets and red blood cells, during which “defective” cells are neutralized;
processes cells of foreign particles.

White pulp is no more than 20% of the total volume; its color is due to the presence of white blood cells. The white pulp contains macrophages, which engulf bacteria, and dendritic cells, which perform antigen-dependent proliferation of B lymphocytes.

Between these surface layers there is a marginal zone filled with specific macrophages that provide antibacterial protection to the body.

Functions of the spleen

From the above it follows that it is possible to determine the main functions that the spleen performs in the human body:

tread;
hematopoietic;
filtration;
cleansing.

The main function of the spleen is protective (protective or immune). Since the spleen is a lymphoid organ, it is in it that immune blood cells—lymphocytes—are produced. The spleen is called the “graveyard” of blood cells, where red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells die. But at the same time, blood reserves are deposited in the spleen in case of internal bleeding. In addition to its main function, the spleen performs filtration and hematopoietic functions. The role of the spleen in the development of the fetus in the womb is very important. It is the main hematopoietic organ for the embryo during pregnancy, but at the end of pregnancy these functions are taken over by the bone marrow, and the spleen begins its “adult” main work - the synthesis of lymphocytes.

There is another interesting feature spleen, where hemoglobin breaks down into bilirubin and hemosiderin. Thus, the spleen is involved in metabolism and is a kind of iron storage.

Thus, the spleen in the body has the following purpose:

It is a purifying filter because it allows everything to pass through it. useful material and blocks “defective” cells, viruses, microbes and other pathogens. Thus, foreign elements do not pass into the blood. If splenectomy (removal of the spleen) is necessary, a person’s immunity is reduced many times;
Exercises control over the vital activity of living cells, selects old leukocytes: some are removed, and some are sent to the liver.
Performs immunoglobulin synthesis in the body, causing protective function organism, which is unthinkable without the spleen.
Responsible for the production of iron during metabolic processes.
During fetal development, it is responsible for the formation of leukocytes and red blood cells.

As a rule, the spleen reacts to pathological processes occurring in other organs. Called this phenomenon- splenomegaly. IN in good condition the weight of the spleen is about 150 g, and its size is 10 or 11 cm. With some disturbances in the functioning of the spleen and nearby organs, the outflow of blood worsens, which provokes its increase. In this case, the volume of the spleen increases to 1000 g. Being so large, it puts pressure on neighboring organs, interfering with their normal functioning, causing discomfort, a feeling of heaviness and painful sensations.

Since the organ performs a cleansing function, if it malfunctions, it is captured large quantity both healthy and damaged blood cells. This leads to a severe decrease in the level of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells, which contributes to the development of anemia. This situation affects human health. He begins to get sick often, feel tired, unwell and weak. You could even say that this situation often accompanies existing diseases:

blood cancer;
cirrhosis of the liver;
various infections: malaria, mononucleosis, HIV infection, mycoses;
Gaucher disease (hereditary disease);
rheumatoid arthritis;
lupus;
Cooley's anemia (thalassemia);
Minkowski-Choffard disease (spherocytosis).

How does the spleen hurt: symptoms

The spleen does not have pain receptors, but its close location near the stomach, pancreas, and kidneys contributes to the appearance of painful sensations in these organs. This reaction is also caused by an enlarged spleen. After all, increasing, for example, five times, the spleen compresses neighboring organs and disrupts their normal functioning.

The principle and scheme of treatment of spleen envy from specific disease. In some cases, antibiotics are used if we're talking about about infection, in others - chemotherapy, and sometimes there is a need for organ removal.

Of course, injuries to the abdominal organs have their own symptoms, and pathological processes manifest themselves in their own way. However, it is possible to identify the symptoms that occur with injuries to the spleen, which will allow for differentiated diagnosis:

strong and constant pain, which are located in the left hypochondrium;
the pain radiates to the back, and spreads along the entire left plane of the back;
temperature increases, accompanied by chills;
tachycardia appears;
“jumps” in blood pressure occur;
there is profuse sweating;
observed aching pain, which radiate to the lower back and intensify during a sigh.

Symptoms arising from pathological processes in the spleen:

severe fatigue and weakness;
enlargement and “bulging” of the organ from the left hypochondrium;
the skin turns pale;
spasms and sharp pain appear with every turn of the body and even in a lying position;
bouts of sudden sharp cough appear;
strong pain on the left under the ribs, which extends to chest and shoulder, eloquently indicates the development of a purulent process;
incessant Blunt pain is a sign of the development of tumors in the spleen;
pain and discomfort in the liver and spleen may be signs of incipient cirrhosis.

Since the spleen is located next to the stomach, sometimes the symptoms can be confused. Sharp pain due to gastritis or an ulcer can be confused with damage to the spleen and, conversely, discomfort during pathological processes in the spleen can be mistaken for stomach cramps.

You should not immediately draw hasty conclusions, since an enlarged spleen does not always indicate serious illness. However, you still need to know what symptoms indicate the development of pathological processes.

So, the symptoms that indicate problems with the spleen:

quick satiety when eating;
reflux (entry of stomach contents into the esophagus), since the spleen is already putting significant pressure on the stomach;
weakness and malaise;
night sweats;
weight loss.

In some cases, with independent palpation, you can feel a lump in the right hypochondrium. In this case, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible to identify the causes of an enlarged spleen. The doctor will prescribe a general examination and clinical tests: blood tests, angiography, ultrasound, and CT. If the problem is ignored for a long time, severe consequences may occur. internal bleeding.

Factors that can cause spleen damage

Spleen injuries. Damage to this organ has an extremely detrimental effect on human health, since in the process of rupture or severe trauma, profuse internal bleeding occurs, which must be stopped as quickly as possible. Despite the fact that the spleen is reliably protected by the ribs and abdominal muscles, in the event of a precise blow it can rupture. After all, the spleen, figuratively speaking, resembles a sac filled with liquid, which is very easy to damage.
Hypertrophy of the spleen. This problem occurs as a result of inflammatory processes in the spleen and impaired blood flow. As a result, the organ increases in size and interferes with the normal functioning of the body.
Splenic infarction. As a result of a lack of blood supply to the spleen, necrosis and tissue rejection can occur. The patient feels sharp pain on the left side, nausea, vomiting, bloating and high fever.
Abscess. At purulent process there is severe pain, heat, enlarged spleen, dizziness, vomiting and lack of appetite.
Tuberculosis of the spleen. Arises as a secondary focus of tuberculosis, due to pathological process in the lungs. Cause: infection pathogenic microorganisms, which penetrated the spleen through the bloodstream. The disease manifests itself severe weakness, pain in the right side, nausea and loss of appetite, bleeding and hemorrhage.
Cyst. A special cavity with fluid may form in the spleen. A small cyst is practically asymptomatic, a large cyst gradually increases in size, which causes a number of symptoms: pain, tingling when breathing and walking, symptoms from the digestive system.
Tumors of the spleen. Tumors can be either benign (hemangiomas, lymphangiomas) or malignant (fibro- and lymphosarcoma, angiosarcoma). Symptoms depend on the type of tumor, but, as a rule, there is an increase and asymmetry of the abdomen, a feeling of heaviness and distension in the spleen, loss of appetite and weight.

How to treat the spleen

On early stage Diseases of the spleen do not manifest themselves as pain. Discomfort and pain occur as the disease develops. Thus, at the very first unpleasant symptoms in the left hypochondrium, you need to urgently consult a doctor.

Unfortunately, sometimes situations arise that require removal of the spleen:

extensive abscess;
cyst (depending on the size of the cyst, partial or complete removal organ);
thrombosis of blood vessels;
sometimes with cirrhosis of the liver;
blood diseases: idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, hereditary spherocytosis, erythroblastic anemia hemolytic anemia and hereditary elliptocytosis (diseases are most often hereditary and very rare);
hypersplenism;
leukemia;
lymphoma;
Hodgkin's disease;
sickle cell anemia;
splenic artery aneurysm (an extremely rare disease);
infectious diseases of the spleen;
spleen injuries accompanied by organ rupture.

Most often, removal of the spleen allows one to achieve stable remission and even complete cure some ailments. Removal of the spleen is carried out as follows:

using laparotomy, the incision in this case is made along the anterior abdominal wall, this type interventions are considered the most common;
left thoracotomy, through pleural cavity with dissection of the diaphragm;
laparoscopic removal of the spleen;
through an incision parallel to the lower costal arch;
through opening of the pleural and abdominal cavities (thoracolaparotomy).

Attention! If sharp pain occurs in the spleen area, then you need to take a lying position and breathe deeply to restore normal breathing. In a lying position, wait for the ambulance or local doctor to arrive.

Remember! If pain is felt in the spleen area, then ice or a hot heating pad should not be applied to this organ. All this will aggravate the situation and may lead to its rupture.

Consequences of removing the spleen

As was said, the spleen is not a vital organ; after its removal, a person will not feel any serious changes in the functioning of the body. However, first of all, the immune system will suffer, its functions will be significantly reduced, since the synthesis of many specific cells will stop. In this case, the risk of developing serious infectious diseases will increase.

After all, in our body everything is connected and nothing is superfluous. When one organ loses its functionality, another takes over its functions. In this case it is the liver. lie on it huge pressure. Therefore, “working for two” can lead to various liver dysfunctions:

pancreatitis;
cholecystitis;
colitis;
diseases of the digestive system.

After removal of the spleen, you must follow a strict diet and stop smoking and alcohol.

Prevention of spleen diseases

Prevention of spleen diseases consists of following certain rules. The main preventive factor is to prevent damage and injury to the spleen. Also, previous illnesses of this organ exclude the possibility of playing sports and other physical activities. In fact, problems with the spleen occur after severe bruises, impacts and injuries.

After splenectomy, the patient needs to be under the supervision of a doctor for some time: undergo timely examinations, take all tests and adhere to a certain diet. The diet is not the most severe, you just need to exclude the consumption of alcohol, fatty, smoked and starchy foods.

It is much less common to hear from someone that their spleen is bothering them than to hear that a person, for example, has a heartache, problems with the lungs, etc. Nevertheless, diseases of the spleen exist, there are many of them and they manifest themselves with certain symptoms and require treatment.

If for some reason a person is deprived of it, he will be able to live, however, this does not mean that it is unnecessary organ because it performs a lot of functions. In this regard, it is necessary to monitor her condition, treating diseases when they appear.

spleen functions

Scientists say that it is mysterious because even modern medicine little information is available about it. At the same time, it is certain that for normal functioning it is very important for the human body.

The spleen is an unpaired organ located in the abdominal region, or more precisely, on the left side in the hypochondrium area. The width of this organ is approximately 10 cm, thickness is approximately 4 cm, length is about 10-12 cm. The weight of the spleen is about 150-200 g.

Here are the main functions of this body:

Hematopoietic function. The spleen regulates the level of red blood cells, leukocytes, platelets, which is essential for normal operation circulatory system. With large blood loss, it can release into the blood necessary elements, due to which its volume is replenished;
Protection from diseases infectious nature;
Boosting immunity.

Symptoms of spleen disease

Often, diseases of this organ are asymptomatic, and in some cases their manifestations are similar to those of other diseases. But most often the symptoms of ailments reveal the latter.

They can be like this:

Cardiopalmus;
The appearance of ulcers;
Frequent infectious diseases;
Frequent bleeding;
Constant feeling that the stomach is full;
The appearance of bruises on the body even from simple touches.

In some cases, a disease such as splenic infarction may occur, in which case it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor who will determine treatment methods, and it can be recognized by the following symptoms:

Severe pain in the hypochondrium;
Rapid pulse;
Fever. As a rule, this symptom appears several hours after a heart attack occurs;
Another sign of a spleen disease such as a heart attack is increased pain in the hypochondrium during coughing and sneezing;
Chills;
Decreased pressure.

Often, diseases of this organ are accompanied by nausea, problems with stool, vomiting, loss of appetite, deterioration of immunity, and weakness.

As a rule, symptoms occur when it increases, which is a consequence of the disease.

Causes of spleen disease

What can cause the occurrence of illnesses?

The main causes of spleen diseases in humans are as follows:

Trauma (open or closed). They can be obtained as a result of injury, fall, blow, etc.;
Infectious diseases. In particular, we are talking about typhoid fever, hepatitis, etc.;
Blood diseases (lymphosarcoma, leukemia, etc.);
The causes of diseases can be hidden in tumors, cysts that have arisen in the organ itself or near it;
The effect of toxic substances and antibiotics on the body;
Problems with the functioning of the circulatory system.

Only a doctor can determine the cause of the disease (unless it is obvious, for example, trauma, injury, etc.). In some cases, even a specialist is not able to identify the root cause of development pathological condition, since during its course additional factors are usually added.

The main diseases of the spleen can be identified by symptoms and a thorough examination.

The strategy for combating the disease is determined by the doctor. It will depend on what other ailments accompany it. As a rule, treatment is not aimed at eliminating symptoms (such as an increase in the size of the organ), but at combating the provocateur of this condition.

If it is caused oncological diseases blood, chemotherapy is indicated; in case of inflammation or abscesses, antibiotic treatment is required.

In some cases, organ removal (splenectomy) is indicated.

After such treatment, the patient becomes vulnerable to a number of viral diseases, and therefore needs vaccination.

Treatment with folk remedies for the spleen

These products have been used for a long time because they show high effectiveness.

Propolis. It has a positive effect on the immune system, so it is often used in the fight against many diseases.

If you notice symptoms of spleen disease and decide to undergo treatment folk remedies, you can use the following recipe.

Alcohol tincture (30%) in the amount of 30 drops is diluted with water (necessarily boiled) in the amount of 50 ml.
You need to use the product 4 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals. The duration of such treatment is 3 weeks.

St. John's wort.

By selecting traditional methods As the main methods of treatment, you can use this herb, which has many beneficial properties.

St. John's wort (10 g) is poured with boiling water (1 cup).
Send the mixture to infuse in an enamel bowl for half an hour, covering the latter with a lid.
Next, strain the broth, let it cool, dilute cool water(cup).
You need to use the product three times a day in the amount of a third of a glass for 30 minutes. before meals.

Raisin. Treatment with folk remedies often involves the use of this method, which is quite well known.

The medicine should be prepared in this way.

Coat the clay vessel with interior fat.
Pour grape juice and vinegar into it in the proportion of 3 liters: 300 ml, respectively, add 50 g of raisins (it is better if they are dark).
We close the vessel hermetically and leave it in a dark place to infuse for several weeks.
You need to take the medicine in a dosage of 30 ml once a day.

Chicory. Of all the methods of treatment with folk remedies, chicory tincture is also known.

This is how we prepare the medicine.

Pour 20 g of raw material (chicory) into a glass of boiling water.
Let the mixture brew for 40 minutes, then express.
We use the product 3 times a day in the amount of 2 tbsp. l.

You can buy chicory extract at the pharmacy; it needs to be brewed in the same way as the plant itself, but take it in the amount of a third of a teaspoon.

Diet for spleen pain

If you have problems with the spleen, proper nutrition is of no small importance.

The spleen is one of the internal organs human body. It is located under the right lung in the vicinity of the left kidney, and the large intestine in close proximity to the diaphragm. It is one of the largest lymphoid organs that exist in mammals. Despite the fact that the spleen is not vital important bodies, it is involved in the processes of hematopoiesis and metabolism.

The spleen is part of the circulatory and immune systems

This organ is considered as part of the immune and circulatory system. During the embryonic period, the formation of red blood cells occurs in the spleen, and later white blood cells are also formed there. After the baby is born, the spleen loses this function and becomes one of the organs that controls the immune system.

The organ has an unusual shape, similar to a coffee bean, oblong or oval. In the cavity of the spleen, the death of red blood cells that have lost their functions occurs. Iron is formed from this substance, which enters the blood and then into the liver. In the liver, iron becomes integral part

Where is it located?

Located in the left precostal area. Healthy organ an adult weighs approximately 0.25 kg, reaches 8-10 cm in length, 6-9 cm in width, and approximately 4 cm in height. The spleen is located at the level of the 11th rib, through which blood flows from the aorta to portal vein. In relation to the spine, this organ is located at the level of 1 vertebra. There are high and low position spleen. The spleen has two surfaces:

Diaphragmatic
Visceral

The first surface is smooth and curved towards the diaphragm. There are many irregularities on the visceral surface that were formed from exposure to it neighboring organs. Therefore, on the surface of the spleen on the visceral side there are pits, which are usually called the organ that exerted pressure on the spleen:

Renal fossa
Intestinal fossa
Gastric concavity

The organ is almost completely covered by the visceral peritoneum; the part that is approached remains open nerve endings and vessels.

The peculiarity of the spleen is that it cannot be felt through the abdominal cavity; the organ is closed by the ribs.

What functions does it perform?

The spleen can be painful

The spleen is intended for:

Participation in immune processes
Accumulations of healthy blood cells
Blood filtration
Destruction of foreign parts
Production from immature lymphoid elements of cells that control the presence of bacteria and viruses in the blood - macrophages
Control of blood components
Storage of iron for its further conversion into

The immune function of the spleen is its production of immune blood cells - lymphocytes. Also, this organ filters blood, hematopoiesis, and thereby stimulates metabolic processes, controlling the elements of blood for its proper circulation.

The spleen converts iron contained in hemoglobin into bilirubin and hemosiderin.

How it works

The constituent part of the spleen is the pulp, which is divided into red and white components. The organ is covered on top with a substance called a capsule. Under the capsule there is a frame that protects and strengthens the organ.

Why can the spleen hurt?

In the area of the spleen can occur for the following reasons:

As a result of her injury
From pressure on it from neighboring organs
Splenic infarction due to lack of blood supply
Abscesses
Neoplasms of various etiologies
Inversion of the leg
Gap
Injuries

Pain in the spleen may occur due to its increase in size, deformation, or other pathology. Pain can also occur when there is pressure on it from other organs that have increased in size. In most cases, pain in the spleen occurs after falls, injuries, blows, or wounds. About availability closed injuries Symptoms in the body may include:

Splenic rupture

Organ rupture occurs as a result of trauma to the abdomen. Once the integrity of the spleen capsule is broken, the vessels are destroyed and blood enters the abdominal cavity. As a result, peritonitis may occur. Symptoms of splenic rupture:

Acute pain
Gradual deterioration
Other reasons

For the most part, diseases of the spleen are a consequence of diseases of other organs:

Blood diseases
Immune disorders
Infectious diseases
Occurrence of neoplasms

Splenic infarction

This is very dangerous and may not be accompanied by any symptoms. As a result of impaired blood supply to the spleen - lack of blood flow through the vessels, due to inflammatory or infectious processes in organism. More common cause This disorder may be caused by a disease such as leukemia. Splenic infarction can develop suddenly. The following symptoms will help determine the presence of this disease:

and due to unbearable pain
Feverish state
Chest pain radiating to the shoulder blade
Breathing disorders
Severe tension in the abdominal muscles

If a heart attack occurs without symptoms, then the damage is minor and you can get by drug therapy without resorting to surgery

Abscesses

The spleen performs many functions, but a person can live without it

An abscess is a change in the tissue of the spleen with the formation of pus. Abscesses can form due to sepsis, bacterial inflammation the inner lining of the heart - endocarditis. This disease can also occur after a splenic infarction. Very often abscesses cannot be detected and cysts form in this place.

With extensive abscesses, severe pain occurs, fever occurs, and intoxication of the body occurs. In this case, urgent surgical intervention. The presence of an abscess can be determined using an ultrasound, when on the monitor you can see the enlargement of the organ and the formation of foci of inflammation.

Inflammatory processes

Inflammatory processes can originate both in the spleen itself and in other abdominal organs adjacent to it. Inflammatory process may occur as a result of diseases:

Supply vessels and nerve endings approach the spleen. As a result of inflammation and an increase in the size of the spleen, it may twist around this leg. As a result, blood stops flowing to the organ, and a condition close to a heart attack occurs, accompanied by severe pain. In this case, urgent surgical intervention will be required.

Cysts

Cysts can form in the spleen, like in any other organ. In most cases they arise as a consequence hormonal disorder. Symptoms:

alternate with constipation
Feeling of heaviness
Nausea after eating
Enlarged spleen
The appearance of foods that previously did not cause allergies

Tumors

All neoplasms that arise in the spleen can be benign or malignant.
Benign - neoplasms of this type in the spleen - drying is rare. TO benign tumors spleen include:

Hemangiomas are vascular tumors
Lymphomas are formations associated with the proliferation of lymphoid tissue
Fibroids
Endotheliomas

Tumors are usually not accompanied by any symptoms. If their growth accelerates and the organ increases significantly in size, the capsule stretches, causing severe pain. A significant increase in the organ threatens its rupture and, as a result, surgery will be required to remove the tumor or the entire organ.

- neoplasms with the presence cancer cells– malignant, in the spleen can be both primary and secondary, due to

The role of the spleen, like the organ itself, has not yet been fully studied by medicine. It can even be called a mysterious part of our body, since in ancient times it was considered to have almost mystical properties. So what is the spleen needed for, what is its main function, and what processes does it “manage”?

The spleen performs a number of significant auxiliary functions in the body for digestion, metabolism, blood purification, etc.

Anatomical location of the organ

The anatomy of the spleen, in brief, is as follows: it is localized in the left hypochondrium, has a bean-shaped shape and a unique structure, and is also characterized by a relatively small size, which is individual for each of us. But Special attention One should pay attention to the functions of such an amazing part of the body.

Function of the spleen in the human body

To understand what the work of the spleen is, why we need it, and how important the role of this part of the body is, we need to understand what processes occur in it, what it is responsible for, and what consequences its damage will entail.

Hematopoiesis

It is noteworthy that in early period During fetal development, the spleen produces platelet cells. Immediately at the time of birth, this task falls on the bone marrow. Later, already in the formed adult body, it produces monocytes and lymphocytes. By performing this hematopoietic process, the spleen has big influence on our body. Interestingly, once a defeat occurs bone marrow, and it stops producing platelets, then the spleen again takes on this responsibility.

Protective

The central function can safely be called the immune activity of the organ. Its cells kill pathogenic substances, thereby fulfilling their role of cleansing the blood from harmful bacterial and dangerous viral microorganisms, as well as from various types of infections. Useful quality the spleen should be considered its ability to capture foreign substances in human body, as well as the production of special antibodies to neutralize these pathogens.

Blood filtration, metabolism

The spleen also has the ability to filter blood. Here, her duty is to control the blood cells that are in constant circulation in the human body, to screen out and remove unsuitable red blood cells. Filtration occurs due to Billrothe's splenic cords - part of the red pulp that is located in the middle of the sinuses.

Partial filtration of blood occurs with the participation of the spleen pulp.

It has also been proven that the spleen takes part in the metabolism, in particular iron, thereby bringing enormous benefits to humans. Not the least role is played by its participation in protein metabolism, the production of immunoglobulins of almost all types, and the synthesis of albumin and globin. In the body, this bean-shaped organ is also responsible for the storage of blood, that is, the storage of platelets.

By the way, the spleen has the ability to vary its size from smaller to larger and vice versa. This is explained by the fact that as its size increases, it receives an influx of a certain portion of blood and, as needed, contracts, throwing this blood into the channel. So, with great physical stress on the body, it needs to compensate for the lack of oxygen, and that is auxiliary quantity blood enriches its volume. Therefore, if you are after a difficult physical activity you felt a sharp pain in the left hypochondrium, which just as suddenly went away - do not rush to get scared. This indicates the following - the spleen has shrunk to its usual size.