What is the role of the spleen in the circulatory and immune systems?
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 is the role of the spleen related to the hematological system?
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 the 4 functions of the spleen?
Your spleen:
- Stores blood.
- Filters blood by removing cellular waste and getting rid of old or damaged blood cells.
- Makes white blood cells and antibodies that help you fight infection.
- Maintains the levels of fluid in your body.
- Produces antibodies that protect you against infection.
What do spleens do?
The spleen has some important functions: it fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells) it controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells.
How does the immune system work without a spleen?
Fortunately for people who do not have a spleen, the body has other lymphoid tissues containing white blood cells, such as lymph nodes. For many types of infections, the remaining lymphoid tissues are able to mount an adequate response.
How does the thymus work in the immune system?
The thymus produces progenitor cells, which mature into T-cells (thymus-derived cells). The body uses T-cells help destroy infected or cancerous cells. T-cells created by the thymus also help other organs in the immune system grow properly. These cells are so vital, they are often donated to those in need.
Which diseases or disorders can affect your spleen?
Conditions that affect the spleen
- bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections such as syphilis, tuberculosis, endocarditis, mononucleosis (mono), and malaria.
- blood cancers such as Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia, and lymphoma.
- liver diseases like cirrhosis.
- hemolytic anemia.