Word parts
What it means
A soft, fist-sized organ under the left ribs, part of the lymph and immune systemih-MYOON SIS-tumThe body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.Full entry . It removes old and damaged red blood cells, stores some platelets and white cells, and filters bacteria from the blood. People can live without it, but removal (splenectomy) raises the risk of serious infections. An enlarged spleen is splenomegaly.
For the nurse
The spleen bleeds heavily when injured, as in a car crash; pain in the left upper belly that spreads to the left shoulder after trauma should be reported. Clients without a spleen need certain vaccines and should report any fever quickly.
At a glance
| Spanish | bazo |
|---|---|
| Also written | splenic |
Related terms
lymph node
A small, bean-shaped organ of the immune system that filters lymph fluid and holds white blood cells.
immune system
The body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.
immunocompromised
Having an immune system that is weaker than normal at fighting infection.
megal/o
A word part that means large or enlarged.