Health: 5 Things To Know About The Spleen.
If some people are in a stew, few people know precisely the location and function of the spleen. For all those wondering what it can possibly be used for, here are 5 things to know about this unknown organ.
1- It is located to the left of the stomach.
The spleen is a discreet organ that hides under our ribs, below our diaphragm (the respiratory muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen).
It is located to the left of the stomach in a part of the abdomen that doctors call the left hypochondrium.
This unknown organ weighs about 200g and is the size of a fist, measuring approximately 12cm long by 7cm wide and 4cm thick.
2- It serves to filter the blood.
The spleen is sometimes compared to a sponge because it is constantly crossed by the blood circulating in the body.
It is the storage site for part of our blood platelets, which allow coagulation, and its mission is to filter and purify the blood. It is nicknamed the cemetery of red blood cells!
It also participates in the proper functioning of our immune system as it produces and stores some of the lymphocytes and monocytes that defend the body against pathogens.
It is, in a way, a reserve of these "little soldiers" that are released into the blood to protect us against infections.
3- It expands in case of pathology.
In slang, "avoir la rate qui se dilate" or "se dilater la rate" means to laugh heartily. But in medicine, it's not a good thing!
When everything is fine, this organ is not felt upon palpation. Doctors can only feel it if its size is abnormal. This is called "splenomegaly".
This dilation is not a sign that you laughed too much, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition that can be an infection or a blood or liver problem.
In this case, this organ is not necessarily painful, but one may feel a weight in the left hypochondrium (discomfort on the left side of the back, a sensation of abnormal fullness, or difficulty breathing).
In ancient times, this organ was blamed for causing side stitches: this is a false belief but still perpetuated in the French language by the expression "courir comme un dératé".
4- It is possible to live without a spleen.
While it is extremely rare to be born without a spleen, it is possible to live without one after surgical removal. In fact, doctors may have to remove this organ after a violent impact to prevent it from rupturing and causing internal bleeding.
However, splenectomy, or the removal of the spleen, is not always necessary, even in cases of pathology, as this organ plays an important role in the proper functioning of the immune system.
People who have undergone a splenectomy must take great precautions against infections.
5- Traditionally, the spleen is associated with worries.
It is no coincidence that this organ is called "spleen" in English or that we, the French, often say in slang that one should not "put their spleen in court-bouillon," meaning not to worry unnecessarily...
Already in ancient times, doctors associated this organ with melancholy and anxiety according to Hippocrates' theory of humors.
In Chinese medicine as well, worries are directly associated with this organ. In this ancient medicine, it is said that this organ reaches its peak activity between 9 am and 11 am.
During this time slot, one can be physically or intellectually active, but one must absolutely not snack or have negative thoughts that would put this poor organ in court-bouillon...
