The Spleen need it or not?

Question

my brother just had emergency surgery yesterday because his spleen exploded.has anyone ever heard of this ? he had no trauma to it. The Dr did not have a answer to how or why this happened. Also How important is your spleen?

Answer 1

The spleen monitors, destroys and stores red blood cells. In addition to this, the spleen has two functions, the red and white pulp. The white pulp helps fight infections and the red pulp removes unwanted materials.
It is increasingly recognised that its absence leads to a predisposition to certain infections

definitely not a good thing.

Immunisations and splenectomy
People who have had their spleen removed or have a spleen disorder are at increased risk of infection, most commonly Pneumococcal infection. Some vaccines are recommended especially for these people and they should be discussed with the doctor. They are:
Pneumococcal vaccine
Meningococcal vaccines
Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine (recommended in an adult who has close contact with children less than 5 years of age). http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Spleen_explained?OpenDocument

Answer 2

The spleen is part of the immune system (it helps fight diseases). Here are its purposes:

*Filtering foreign organisms that infect blood
*Removing old or damaged platelets and red blood cells
*Storing extra blood and letting the body use it when its needed
*Forming some white blood cells

You can live without a spleen, but you might get more easily infected with diseases, at least in the beginning. If your spleen was removed, the liver would take over its functions.

Answer 3

Don't think it's that important. Once my sister was told she had no spleen!! Can you believe that. Then several X-rays later showed she had a spleen but it was very tiny. Before the tiny spleen was spotted, the doctor had told her not to worry about not havng a spleen.

Answer 4

well let me tell you what the spleen does and go from there,,,

filters microorganisms and other foreign material from the blood

forms lymphocytes and moncytes which are specialized white blood cells with roles in the immune system

is hemolytic which means that it destroys worn-out red blood cells and liberates hemoglobin

stores extra erythrocytes and maintains the appropriate balance between the circulating red blood cells and plasma

so in conclusion i think its pretty dang important

Answer 5

the spleen is helpful to your body but it is not needed to live. your brother's spleen exploded due to an enlargement most likely. i also have and enlarged spleen and liver but i doubt they will rupture as i have prettymuch stopped growing.

Answer 6

Stores Extra Erythrocytes