Where are accessory spleens found?
Accessory spleens are often located on the left side of the human body. Nearly all the lesions are smaller than 2 cm, and 65% of them are 1 cm in diameter or less. They can be located in the hilum of the spleen, splenic artery, pancreas, splenocolic ligament, greater omentum, mesenterium, adnexal region, and scrotum.
How many people have an accessory spleen?
If the cells are lucky enough to land somewhere with a lot of blood vessels, they start to grow into tiny extra spleens called splenunculi. The whole process is called splenosis, and it seems to be pretty common: about 1 in 5 people have accessory spleens.
Can people have an extra spleen?
Occasionally individuals are born with more than one spleen. In fact, the total amount of splenic tissue in these individuals is about the same as in an individual with a single spleen, but the tissue is separated into two (sometimes more) separate pieces.
What causes accessory Splenule?
Accessory spleens are congenital and form as a result of failure of fusion of multiple buds of splenic tissue in the dorsal mesogastrium in the fifth week of embryonic life. They have their own blood supply, which is usually from a branch of the splenic artery.
Are you born with an accessory spleen?
The accessory spleen is a congenital defect, with a separated ectopic splenic parenchyma due to an incomplete fusion of splenic masses during embryonic growth arising from the dorsal mesogastrium [2].
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.
Does an accessory spleen work?
Accessory spleens are found in approximately 10 percent of the population and are typically around 1 centimetre in diameter. They may resemble a lymph node or a small spleen. They form either by the result of developmental anomalies or trauma….
| Accessory spleen | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Medical genetics |
Where are accessory spleens not found?
Accessory spleens are most commonly located medial to the splenic hilum, adjacent to or within the pancreatic tail or below the spleen (in the splenorenal ligament). Rarely they may be located elsewhere in the abdomen.
Is an accessory spleen harmful?
What are the problems with the spleen?
Persons with an enlarged spleen often exhibit other signs and symptoms associated with the underlying cause of the enlargement, such as liver disease, an infection or a blood disorder. Common signs and symptoms include sudden pain and tenderness in the upper left abdomen, left shoulder pain, fever, chills and a generalized feeling of being ill.
What are the symptoms of spleen disease?
Pain in the upper left part of the abdomen.
What do medical conditions affect the spleen?
Therefore, conditions that result in the breakdown of red blood cells can affect the spleen, causing splenomegaly. One such condition is sickle cell disease, in which the red blood cells are fragile and break easily. The spleen stores these cells, becoming enlarged.