15. SPLEEN

The spleen is an important organ located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, and it has several important anatomical points, including:

1. Location: The spleen is located in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, just behind the stomach and beneath the diaphragm.
2. Size and shape: The spleen is typically about the size of a fist, with a length of about 12 centimeters and a width of about 7 centimeters. It is oval-shaped and has a convex surface on its diaphragmatic side and a concave surface on its gastric side.
3. Blood supply: The spleen receives its blood supply from the splenic artery, which branches off from the celiac trunk. The splenic vein drains blood from the spleen and returns it to the liver.
4. Structure: The spleen is composed of two types of tissue: red pulp and white pulp. The red pulp is responsible for filtering blood and removing old or damaged red blood cells, while the white pulp is involved in immune function.
5. Function: The spleen plays several important functions in the body, including filtering blood, producing antibodies, and storing red blood cells and platelets.
6. Associated conditions: Certain conditions can affect the function or structure of the spleen, such as splenomegaly (enlargement of the spleen), asplenia (absence of the spleen), or splenic infarction (death of spleen tissue due to lack of blood supply).

It's important to note that the spleen is a vital organ that plays a critical role in the immune and hematological systems of the body. Any dysfunction or disease