Spleen (Dave's notes)

Question 1

Describe the spleen

Answer 1

The spleen is the largerst lymphoid organ

Question 2

Where does the spleen develop?

Answer 2

• Develops in the left leaf of the dorsal mesogastrium, ends up in the left margin of the lesser sac.
• Development causes the dorsal mesogastrium to divide into lieno (spleno) renal and gastrosplenic ligaments.

Question 3

What is significant about the venous drainage of the spleen?

Answer 3

The spleen is not part of the GI system but drains into the portal vein

Question 4

What is the location of the spleen?

Answer 4

The spleen lies between ribs 9-11. Its long axis lies along the line of the 10th rib

Question 5

What are the relations of the spleen?

Answer 5

• anterior: stomach
• posterior: diaphragm, left lung, ribs 9-11
• inferior: splenic flexure
• medial: left kidney and tail of pancreas.

Question 6

What makes contact with the hilum?

Answer 6

The tail of the pancreas, which lies in the leinorenal ligament.

Question 7

Where is the splenic artery found?

Answer 7

Between the layers of the lienorenal ligament, and divides into T or Y shaped patterns at the hilum

Question 8

Where does splenic lymph drain?

Answer 8

follows splenic vessels into pancreaticosplenic LN.

ultimately coeliac nodes.

Question 9

What is the nerve supply of the spleen?

Answer 9

Sympathetic fibres only, from coeliac plexus

Question 10

At what rate are accessory spleens found?

Answer 10

1:10

Question 11

What must be cut to perform a splenectomy?

Answer 11

• The lienorenal and gastropsplenic ligaments
• and the short gastric vessels must be ligated.