3.SPLEEN

The spleen is a soft, spongy organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Here are some of the important gross anatomical points related to the spleen:

1. Size: The spleen is approximately 12 cm long, 7 cm wide, and 3 cm thick.
2. Shape: The spleen is shaped like a flattened ellipsoid or a tongue.
3. Position: The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and behind the stomach.
4. Capsule: The spleen is covered by a thin fibrous capsule that provides protection and support.
5. Parenchyma: The parenchyma of the spleen is divided into two main parts: the red pulp and the white pulp.
6. Red pulp: The red pulp of the spleen is responsible for filtering the blood and removing old or damaged red blood cells.
7. White pulp: The white pulp of the spleen contains lymphoid tissue, which plays an important role in the immune system.
8. Hilum: The hilum of the spleen is the area on the medial side of the spleen where the splenic artery and vein enter and exit.
9. Blood supply: The spleen receives blood from the splenic artery, which branches into smaller arteries and arterioles that supply the red and white pulp. Blood is drained from the spleen by the splenic vein.
10. Function: The spleen plays an important role in the immune system, filtering the blood and removing old or damaged red blood cells, as well as producing antibodies and storing platelets.