Overview
The roles of the spleen are to filter the blood to remove old and damaged blood cells, create new blood cells, and store platelets. It plays a key role in the body’s immune system. The spleen consists of white pulp and red pulp:
- White pulp:
- Contains B- and T-lymphocytes that recognise and attack pathogens
- Red pulp:
- Removes old and damaged red blood cells
- Stores platelets
- Produces new red blood cells in foetuses – this stops after birth
Splenomegaly describes an enlarged spleen.
Causes
Haematological causes
- Haemolytic anaemias (e.g. sickle cell anaemia)
- Leukaemias
- Lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (e.g. myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera, essential thrombocytosis)
Infectious causes
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Infective endocarditis
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- Schistosomiasis
