Spleen of man lies in the capsule, from which depart into body constriction separating it into parts. The main part consists of white and red pulp – pulp. The red pulp is filled with blood cells, mostly erythrocytes. It is densely penetrated by blood vessels. The white consists of lymphoid tissue, where lymphocytes develop, destroying bacteria, viruses and their own affected cells of the body.
The main function of the spleen is immune. Macrophages spleen captures and recycles harmful substances, thereby purifying the blood from harmful viruses and bacteria. She is actively involved in the immune response – cells identify foreign to the body antigen and synthesize antibodies.
The spleen also performs a filter function, which is implemented in the control of circulating blood cells. This primarily refers to the red blood cells, as defective, and the aging. In the spleen not only destroyed, but accumulate the elements of the blood: platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells. It contains up to fifty percent of all platelets, which, if necessary, will be thrown into the bloodstream. At infringement of outflow of blood the spleen being enlarged, can accommodate a large amount of blood. With the reduction, she throws in the direction deposited in her blood, while it is reduced in size, and the number of erythrocytes in the blood increases.
Also the spleen is involved in hematopoiesis, especially in the fetus. In the adult it produces monocytes and lymphocytes. The spleen is the main organ extramedullary haemopoiesis when you modify normal processes in the bone marrow, for example, chronic blood loss, sepsis, osteoblastic form of cancer, miliary tuberculosis. Important role the spleen plays in the processes of hemolysis. It delayed and destroyed a large number of parasitized erythrocytes, especially with certain congenital and acquired hemolytic anemias.