Spleen Location: Where is the Spleen Located

The word spleen comes into English from Greek. This organ is found in all vertebrate animals. It has an important role to play in the immune system in regards to the red blood cells in the body. The spleen is purple and gray in color. The main spleen function in immune system is to remove the red blood cells and also hold a reserve of blood in case of hemorrhagic shock, while iron is being recycled in the body. The shape of spleen is like a loose fist, and the spleen location is close to the abdomen. Let's find out where is the spleen located in the body exactly?

Location of Spleen

The spleen location is strategic in the body. Spleen is located in the upper far left part of the abdomen, exactly to the left of the stomach. The size of the spleen varies in size as well as shape in different people. However, it is normally fist shaped and is about 4 inches long. A lot of us wonder why is it, that we are not able to feel the spleen. The spleen is protected by the rib cage, due to which one cannot feel it easily, until and unless the spleen is abnormally enlarged. An average spleen can be caused due to infection like malaria etc. The average weight of the spleen in adults is about 0.44 lbs. It is normally seen, that the size of the spleen increases during as well as after digestion. You can refer to the spleen location diagram, to know the exact location of spleen.

Function of Spleen in the Immune System

The spleen is made up of two types of tissues, namely red pulp tissue and white pulp tissue. The main function of red pulp tissue in the spleen is to create lymphocytes for destructing and recycling the old blood cells in the body. On the other hand, it is the job of the white blood tissue to filter out bacteria, parasites and debris accumulated in the blood. The white pulp tissues are made of the same material as the lymph nodes and they make certain immune cells. Before birth, function of the spleen is to manufacture red blood cells, however, after birth this job is entrusted to the bone marrow. It is also called the blood reservoir in the body, as it supplies the body with blood in case of emergency, like a bad cut, etc. The platelets and white blood cells are stored in the spleen. The spleen location is important, because white blood cells trap organisms in the spleen. Hence, it can also be called the filter of the body. The spleen has an important role to play in fighting bacteria, which cause diseases like pneumonia and meningitis.

Although the spleen location is such, that it is protected by the rib cage, it is yet susceptible to injury. One of the most common cause of spleen injury is direct injury in case of an accident. In some cases, injury to the spleen can also be caused, due to a fractured ribs on the left side. The less common causes of spleen injury are contact sports like ice hockey, football, etc. If the impact of the injury is severe, it can cause ruptured spleen, therefore, massive amount of blood loss in the abdominal area as well. Such a situation can be life-threatening, therefore is a medical emergency. Due to the location of spleen, it is also prone to disease and infection. Diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, leukemia, liver diseases like hepatitis, etc. can affect the spleen as well. Although spleen removal is possible, however, it is seen, that if the spleen is removed, the person is at a greater risk of infection. Therefore, it is recommended, that at the first sign of an infection, or health issues such as severe sore throat, unexplained cough, severe pain in the abdomen, headache, etc., the person should get in touch with the health care professional.