Spleen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spleen |
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| The human spleen is located in the upper left abdomen, behind the stomach | |
| Latin | splen, lien |
| System | Immune system (Lymphatic system) |
The spleen is an important organ found in many animals, including humans. It's part of your lymphatic system, which helps your body fight off sickness. In people, the spleen is located on the left side of your body, just under your heart. It works hard to help you stay healthy by fighting infections and keeping your blood cells in good shape.
Contents
What Does the Spleen Do?
The spleen has several important jobs. One main task is to clean your blood. It removes old or damaged blood cells and recycles them. This process helps your body save important materials like iron and amino acids from these old cells.
The spleen also acts like a storage tank for extra blood. If your body suddenly needs more blood, like after an injury, the spleen can quickly release its stored supply. It works closely with your circulatory system, which is the network that moves blood all around your body.
The spleen also plays a big role in your immune system. It helps your body find and fight off germs and other harmful things. It's a bit like a large lymph node, which are small glands that filter harmful substances. Without a spleen, you might get certain infections more easily.
How Big is the Spleen?
The spleen is shaped a bit like a loose fist. It's tucked away on the left side of your diaphragm, which is the muscle that helps you breathe. For an adult, the average spleen weighs about 0.44 pounds (200 grams).
Spleen and Illness
Sometimes, the spleen can get bigger. This can happen when your body is working hard to digest food or when you are sick. If the spleen gets too big, it can be at risk of breaking open. If this happens, it's a serious medical emergency, and the person needs help right away. Sometimes, surgery is needed to stop any bleeding.
Several illnesses can cause the spleen to swell up. Some of these include:
- Malaria
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus
- Sickle cell anemia
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Mononucleosis (often called "mono")
The Spleen in History
In the past, people had different ideas about the spleen. Many believed it helped control how a person felt. For example, if someone was feeling very upset or angry, people might have thought it was because of a problem with their spleen. Of course, we now know that emotions are controlled by the brain, not the spleen!
Images for kids
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A view of the spleen's surface
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A close-up view of spleen tissue under a microscope. You can see the red pulp (red), white pulp (blue), and a thickened outer layer (pink).
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The spleen has two main parts: white pulp (A) and red pulp (B). The white pulp helps make and grow immune cells, while the red pulp filters blood and removes old cells.
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A view of a horse's spleen during laparoscopic surgery.
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The spleen as seen using an ultrasound machine.
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A diagram showing where the spleen is located in the body.
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Another diagram showing the spleen's location in relation to other organs.
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A cross-section of the spleen, showing its internal structure and blood vessels.
See also
In Spanish: Bazo para niños
