The spleen: all you need to know, from how it works to the best ways to keep it healthy
The largest organ in the lymphatic system, the spleen filters the blood and fights against bacteria such as those that cause pneumonia and meningitis
Even though adults can survive without a spleen, this organ serves several crucial functions. Expert Dr Paul Ng relates some little-known facts about it, and why to take steps to protect it.
“The spleen is a reservoir for all blood cells,” says Ng, a Hong Kong-based specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology. “It produces and trains white cells.”
It produces and trains lymphocytes, which are very important for a patient to have long-lasting immunity against any specific pathogens.
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The spleen is important for the body’s immune system because it filters the blood and fights against certain bacteria such as those that cause pneumonia and meningitis.
It fights off infections by deploying an army of immune cells, called monocytes, into the blood stream.
It is the largest organ in the lymphatic system and is located on the left side of your abdomen, where it is protected by the ribs. This protection – although seemingly ideal – can be very dangerous if a broken rib punctures your spleen.
After such an accident, the organ must be removed immediately or a person could die from internal bleeding due to the many blood vessels within the spleen – 350 litres of blood filter through the spleen every single day. An injury to the spleen can sometimes lead to it rupturing days – or even weeks – after the initial accident.
