The spleen is a soft, purple organ located in the upper left side of your abdomen, just above the stomach and under the diaphragm. It’s about 7 to 14 cm in length in a healthy adult and weighs between 28 g and 230 g, depending on your height and body weight.
- Can I live without my spleen?
- What are the first signs of a bad spleen?
- Is spleen a kidney?
- What foods irritate the spleen?
- Can spleen grow back after removal?
- Can you have a baby without a spleen?
What Does the Spleen Do?
The spleen is part of both the lymphatic system and the immune system. Its main functions include:
- Filtering blood: It removes old or damaged red blood cells and recycles iron.
- Fighting infection: The spleen stores white blood cells (lymphocytes and monocytes) that help fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
- Storing blood: It holds a reserve of blood that can be released in emergencies, such as after trauma.
- Supporting tissue repair: After injury or infection, immune cells from the spleen travel to damaged tissues to aid healing.
Common Spleen Conditions in Australia
While spleen problems are not as common as issues with other organs, they can still occur. Here are a few conditions Australians should be aware of:
1. Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen)
An enlarged spleen can be caused by infections like mononucleosis, liver diseases, blood cancers, or autoimmune conditions. Symptoms might include pain or fullness in the upper left abdomen, fatigue, or frequent infections.
2. Spleen Rupture
Often caused by blunt trauma (e.g., car accidents or contact sports), a ruptured spleen can lead to internal bleeding and is considered a medical emergency. Australia’s healthcare providers are well-equipped to handle such emergencies with timely diagnosis and treatment.
3. Asplenia (Absence of a Spleen)
Some people are born without a spleen or have it surgically removed (splenectomy). Without it, the immune system becomes more vulnerable to infections, which is why vaccinations and preventive antibiotics are often recommended.
Spleen Size and Measurement in Australia
Australian radiologists often use abdominal ultrasounds to measure spleen size. Spleen size can vary by height. For example:
- A woman who is 160–164 cm tall might have a spleen 7.4–12.2 cm long.
- A man who is 185–189 cm tall might have a spleen 9.3–13.6 cm long.
These measurements help doctors determine if a spleen is abnormally large or small, which may indicate underlying health issues.
Do You Need Your Spleen to Survive?
The spleen is important, but not essential for survival. If it needs to be removed due to disease or injury, other organs (like the liver and lymph nodes) take over many of its functions. However, people without a spleen must be more vigilant about infections and keep up-to-date with vaccinations, especially in Australia where exposure to certain bacteria is common in the community and through international travel.