The SPLEEN is a rather simple organ of the body.
Its main function is dealing with red and white blood cells.
It can act as a storage and helps in the breakdown of old red blood cells.
It is gaining wider appreciation as a part of the immune system.
Without the spleen it has been noted an increased risk to certain infections.
It is located near the pancreas and the stomach and lies beneath the 9th to the 12th thoracic ribs.
It is on the left side of the abdomen.
Although bone marrow is typically the site of red blood cell formation.
During gestation up until the 5th month – the spleen is the primary site of red blood cell formation.
After birth the spleen can still produce lymphocytes which help fight infection.
