This soft, spongy organ works as part of the lymphatic system and is designed to help with the body’s immune function. Splenomegaly usually does not cause spleen pain. Spleen cancer can be either primary or secondary. What Are Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders? Some people are born without a spleen or need to have it removed because of disease or injury. Gayer, G. British Journal of Radiology, 2001; vol 74: pp 764-772. However, in some people — especially those who are slender — a healthy, normal-sized spleen can sometimes be felt during an exam.Your doctor may confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged spleen with one or more of these tests: 1. When enlarged and extending below the costal margin, the spleen can be palpated on the anterolateral aspect of the abdomen and the superficially lying notched border makes it clearly discernible.  However, as mentioned below under the causes of spleen pain, mild to moderate splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) rarely causes spleen pain. Your doctor generally can't feel a normal-sized spleen in adults but can feel an enlarged spleen. A splenic infarct is death of splenic tissue as a consequence of a blockage in the splenic artery or its branches. Your spleen is a small organ located on the left side of your abdomen under the rib cage. The spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, under cover of the diaphragm and the ribcage – and therefore cannot normally be palpated on clinical examination (except when enlarged). What is spleen removal? The spleen is a fist-sized organ found in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. An enlarged spleen is usually detected during a physical exam. The Spleen is partnered with the Stomach, a yang organ. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it's commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. Your spleen, a flat 4-inch organ located on the left side of your rib cage, is a part of your blood system and immune system. The most notable features of spleen pain is that it is : The spleen lies at the level of the 9th to 11th ribs which means that it is tucked under the left ribcage. This can be due to sharp force where overt signs of penetration and gross hemorrhaging will be clearly evident. An enlarged spleen, a condition called “splenomegaly,” is a clear warning sign that the immune system is fighting hard to remove threats from the body but failing to do so because it can’t keep up with high demand. The liver is at the right side and the spleen is at the left. Splenomegaly is a condition that occurs when your spleen becomes enlarged. The spleen sits under your rib cage in the upper left part of your abdomen toward your back. The liver and spleen are large organs located at the upper area of the abdomen (stomach). This fist-shaped, oblong organ is purple, … WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It weighs around 7 oz. Pain alone in this region may not always be due to the spleen. If spleen cancer is primary, it starts in the spleen. Apart from filtering the blood it also contains a large population of immune cells, and produces opsonins and antibodies that enhance immune activity. Your doctor … Many conditions — including infections, liver disease and some cancers — can cause an enlarged spleen, also known as splenomegaly (spleh-no-MEG-uh-lee).An enlarged spleen usually doesn't cause symptoms. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? It removes old red blood cells and holds on to a reserve of other red blood cells to release in an emergency, plus it helps recycle iron. The spleen is a fist-sized organ in the upper left side of your abdomen, next to your stomach and behind your left ribs. Spleen is located in the upper left side of the body. Rarely, a spontaneous rupture may occur with little or no blunt trauma force. The spleen is an organ of the hematological system and has a role in immune response, storage of red blood cells and hematopoiesis. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. Mayo Clinic: "Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly).". It is located just posterior (behind) the mid-axillary line (refer to picture below) lying in close proximity to the posterolateral abdominal wall. Due to the shielding by the ribs, one cannot feel the spleen by pressing the abdomen. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. The spleen plays important roles in regard to red blood cells (erythrocytes) and the immune system. It works as a blood filter. Arterial blockage leading to a fracture of a rib and penetration of the immune system function, location in splenic... Organ that sits under your rib cage, you can ’ t easily feel it unless it often. 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