Where it is
Left upper quadrant, behind the stomach and under ribs 9–11, against the diaphragm.
What it does
Removes aged red cells and platelets, recycles iron, stores platelets and fights blood-borne bacteria with lymphocytes and macrophages.
Clinical relevance
- Splenomegaly occurs in mononucleosis, liver disease with portal hypertension and blood cancers.
- Without a spleen, clients are at risk of overwhelming infection by encapsulated bacteria.
Nursing focus
- Never palpate an enlarged spleen deeply.
- Teach asplenic clients to keep vaccinations current and seek care quickly for fever.