What are the four main functions of the spleen?
The four most important normal functions of the spleen are as follows:
- Clearance of microorganisms and particulate antigens from the blood stream.
- Synthesis of immunoglobulin G (IgG), properdin (an essential component of the alternate pathway of complement activation), and tuftsin (an immunostimulatory tetrapeptide)
What are important functions of the spleen?
Your spleen’s main function is to act as a filter for your blood. It recognizes and removes old, malformed, or damaged red blood cells. When blood flows into your spleen, your spleen performs “quality control”; your red blood cells must pass through a maze of narrow passages.
What are two functions of the spleen?
The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis.
How would you simplify the function of the spleen?
The spleen acts as a filter. It weeds out old and damaged cells and helps control the amount of blood and blood cells that circulate in the body. The spleen also helps get rid of germs. It contains white blood cells called lymphocytes and macrophages.
What is the structure and function of the spleen?
The spleen sits in the upper left of the abdomen, protected by the rib cage. It is the largest organ of the lymphatic system — the circulation of the immune system. It recycles old red blood cells and stores platelets (components of the blood that help stop bleeding) and white blood cells.
What are the major functions of the thymus and the spleen?
Spleen and thymus Its job is to process old and damaged blood cells and microorganisms. Before birth, the spleen also helps producing blood cells. In early childhood, it plays a major role in building and maintaining the immune system. The thymus is a gland located behind the breastbone (sternum).
What pulp is responsible for the immune functions of the spleen?
1). The white pulp (WP) is the primary immunologic region of the spleen in both species; however, the WP makes up less than a quarter of splenic tissue. The red pulp (RP) makes up the majority of the tissue and has an immune function distinct from that of the WP.
What is the main function of the thymus?
The thymus is an organ that is critically important to the immune system which serves as the body’s defense mechanism providing surveillance and protection against diverse pathogens, tumors, antigens and mediators of tissue damage.
What are the functions of the spleen in the body?
The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood…
What is the function of Myoepithelial cells in the spleen?
Both the capsule and trabeculae contain myoepithelial cells which have the ability to contract. As the spleen stores a significant amount of blood, the contraction of myoepithelial cells pumps stored blood into the circulatory system when the body is in need; for example during intense physical activity or massive hemorrhage.
Why is the spleen protected by the rib cage?
Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there.
What does the spleen store in the bone marrow?
Once the red blood cells are broken down, the spleen stores useful leftover products, such as iron, which it eventually returns to the bone marrow, which makes hemoglobin (the iron-containing part of blood). The spleen also stores blood — the blood vessels of the spleen can expand significantly.
