What are the functions of the spleen? Why can people still live after a total splenectomy...

What are the functions of the spleen? Why can people still live after a total splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen)?

Expert Solution

What are the functions of the spleen?

Spleen is one of the largest organs of the lymphatic system. The spleen helps in maintaining the balance of the bodily fluids, though it is not impossible to live without the spleen. The functions of spleen are:

Filtering liquid in the form of infectious organisms, along with filtering aged or elements that are defectively formed.
It works in trapping of antigens or microbes.
It carries out a major role in the immune responses
The major functioning is on filtering, which is performed by macrophages.
It initiated immune response by interaction of T and B cells.

Why can people still live after a total splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen)?

Spleen removal is a major surgery and the person whose spleen is removed is an immuno-compromised individual. For A person whose spleen has been removed, the person would not be able to fight bacteria or any invading microorganisms. If the spleen is removed, a person can survive without it, though he would be prone to being infected.

gladiator answered 2 years ago

1. What are the functions of the spleen? If your spleen were removed [splenectomy], would you...

1. What are the functions of the spleen? If your spleen were removed [splenectomy], would you be able to fight off illness or infections effectively? Why or why not? 2. What is the role of the thymus in the human body? 3. If your tonsils are removed, how does your body develop an immune response against antigens in the throat? 4. The radical mastectomy is an operation in which a cancerous breast, surrounding tissues, and the underlying muscles of the...

summarize steps that people can take to live a more sustainable lifestyle and what major changes...

summarize steps that people can take to live a more sustainable lifestyle and what major changes should be made in their lives to live more healthfully when it comes to nutritional choices.

What does it mean that after imperialism has divided the world, re-division can still occur?

After answering A and B, I still keep getting this question with mixed answers, some people...

After answering A and B, I still keep getting this question with mixed answers, some people have interest from borrowing for the quarter and some people don't. Can you help? Thanks Durianx Inc. distributes a electronic chessboards The following information was gathered to prepare the budget for the third quarter. • Each unit of chessboard is budgeted to sell for an average price of $175. Unit sales are expected to be as follows: June 9,600 Units July 9,700 Units August...

Why are the Latin American people still struggling with control of their everyday lives? How does...

Why are the Latin American people still struggling with control of their everyday lives? How does this perspective compare to our current freedoms in the United States, and how does this affect your individual knowledge about freedom?

1. can we be fat and still be healthy? 2. State why/why not 3. Find at...

1. can we be fat and still be healthy? 2. State why/why not 3. Find at least ONE academically credible source to support your opinion AND provide a brief summary of that article.

In a paragraph, explain why people who live in Denver have more red blood cells on...

In a paragraph, explain why people who live in Denver have more red blood cells on average than people who live in Dallas. Make sure your explanation includes something about the effect of altitude on partial pressure of oxygen and make sure your explanation includes something about how hormones play a role in this

How many of the following characteristics can two different logarithmic functions share, while still remaining different?...

How many of the following characteristics can two different logarithmic functions share, while still remaining different? Domain Range y-intercept Intervals of increase or decrease Decide how many key applicable characteristics there are and explain with examples.

Why is it that HIV-1 RT can have a mutation in p66 and still have the...

Why is it that HIV-1 RT can have a mutation in p66 and still have the exact same mutation in p51? help me

What is a good lesson that can be learned from why people should not fight?

Question