Spleen

An abnormally low level of WBCs is referred to as ______.

Leukopenia

In the embryo, the spleen is formed from the

mesoderm

When scanning for the spleen, the sonographer should be mindful that the

normal spleen may be very small and is located deep to the rib cage

What is the thin translucent membrane that lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and covers the abdominal organs?

peritoneal membrane

The most common use of sonography in the evaluation of the spleen is to identify

splenomegaly

The smooth surfaces of the spleen are to due to contact with

the inferior surface of the diaphragm

Average measurements of the spleen are:

12cm in length 7cm in width 3-4cm in thickness

Venous sinuses in the spleen are capable of storing ___________ of blood.

300 mL

The thickness of the normal bowel wall when the bowel is non-distended is approximately

5mm

What is the role of the spleen in the formation of bile?

Erythorcyte destruction creates the byproduct of heme (bilirubin)which is used by the liver in the formation of bile.

The spleen is an intraperitoneal or a retroperitoneal organ?

Inrtaperitoneal

What is the correct relationship of the left kidney and the spleen?

The spleen is superior, lateral and posterior to the left kidney.

T or F The elastic properties of splenic tissue allow the spleen to enlarge and contract.

True

T or F The spleen has a convex superior surface and a concave inferior surface

True

T or F The spleen is a highly vascular organ

True

What are the cords of Billroth?

a meshwork of blood-filled venous sinuses and reticular splenic cords

When scanning the spleen, the sonographer notices a small round structure near the splenic hilum. The echotexture of this structure is exactly the same as the spleen. This is most likely

a splenule

The stomach is located ___________ to the spleen.

anteromedial

Where are the subphrenic spaces located?

between the diaphragm and liver or spleen

The volume of the normal spleen may increase with

digestion

A ligament that helps stabilize the spleen is the

gastrosplenic

Another name for the splenorenal ligament is

lienorenal ligament

The spleen is composed primarily of

lymph tissue

The white pulp of the spleen consists of

lymphocyte nodules

What cells of the spleen turns heme into unconjugated bilirubin?

macrophages

Where is the lesser sac of the peritoneal cavity located?

posterior to the stomach and left lobe of the liver

In the embryo and fetus, the spleen

produces white and red blood cells.

RBC's are filtered in what portion of the spleen?

red pulp

What is located both posterior and lateral to the spleen?

ribs and intercostal spaces

The sonographer obtains a splenic length of 5.0cm. This measurement indicates that the spleen is

smaller than normal

What vessel courses along the superior border of the pancreas?

splenic artery

A WBC count reveals leukocytosis. This means that there are

too many white blood cells

T or F All of the following are detectable with sonographic imaging: ~inguinal hernia ~pyloric stenosis in an infant ~fluid in Morison's pouch ~Crohn's disease and other bowel inflammatory conditions ~paracolic gutter fluid

true

The lymphoid tissues of the spleen are found in the

white pulp

Malphigian corpuscles are found in the

white pulp of the spleen

With the patient in the supine position and during the Overview scan portion of the complete abdominal sonogram, the sonographer should be able to determine the (5)

~impact of bowel gas on imaging the abdominal organs ~presence of free fluid in the dependent portions of the abdomen ~general size and location of the gallbladder ~size of the liver ~location and number of kidneys

spaces are located in the peritoneal cavity? (4)

~left colic gutter ~right colic space ~suphepatic space ~left subphrenic space