Spleen, ruptured
Rupture of the capsule of the spleen that is a potential catastrophe and requires immediate medical and surgical attention. Splenic rupture permits large amounts of blood to leak into the abdominal cavity, and it is severely painful and life threatening. Shock, and ultimately death, can result. Patients typically require immediate surgery. Rupture of a normal spleen can be caused by trauma, such as an accident. If an individual’s spleen is enlarged, as is frequent in mononucleosis, most physicians will not allow participation in major contact sports or other activities because injury to the abdomen could be catastrophic.
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- Splenectomy
An operation to remove the spleen.
- Splenic artery
A large artery within the abdomen that arises from an arterial vessel called the celiac trunk, which emerges from the aorta. The splenic artery supplies blood not only to the spleen, but also to the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, liver, and pancreas.
- Splenic fever
Known also as anthrax, splenic fever is a serious bacterial infection. It is not primarily a human disease but rather an infection of animals. Cattle, sheep, horses, mules, and some wild animals are highly susceptible. Humans (and swine) are generally resistant to anthrax. Anthrax can take different forms. With the lung form of the disease, […]
- Splenic vein
A vein formed by the union of several small veins that return blood from the stomach, pancreas and spleen. The splenic vein is a major contributor to the portal vein which goes to the liver.
- Splenomegaly
Abnormal enlargement of the spleen. Splenomegaly is a sign of an underlying condition, such as severe liver disease, leukemia, or mononucleosis. Patients with splenomegaly should avoid activities that risk trauma to the abdomen, including contact sports, because of risk of bleeding from the injured spleen.