What Does the Spleen Do?

The spleen is a small lymphoid organ located inside the upper left side of the abdomen, but what does the spleen do?

This organ plays a vital role in the lymphatic system, which is needed to remove cellular waste, maintain body fluid balance, and produce white blood cells.

Discover the importance of the spleen and learn how to support your spleen naturally.

What is the spleen?

The spleen is an oval-shaped purple organ located in the abdomen's upper left quadrant. It sits inside the ribs, behind the stomach, and near the liver, left kidney, and pancreas. 

Though small compared to other organs in the body, the spleen is the largest organ of the lymphatic system. It’s roughly the size of an adult fist, about four to five inches long, and typically weighs five to seven ounces. 

The size of the spleen depends on a person’s height, weight, and sex, though it can become enlarged due to sickness or injury.

The spleen is encased in two types of connective tissue, the red and white pulp, which recycle damaged red blood cells and play a vital role in immune response. 

Together, these tissues ensure the spleen performs efficiently, maintains blood health, and supports the body's immune defenses.

Watch the video below to learn more about the spleen.

What does the spleen do?

The spleen is a part of the lymphatic system, a group of vessels, organs, and tissues within the broader network of the immune system that help protect the body from infection and disease. 

This organ has several important functions, including removing old and damaged red blood cells and producing white blood cells and antibodies to help the body fight infectious microbes and pathogens.

Two tissue types encase the spleen: the red pulp and the white pulp. The red pulp comprises wide blood vessels called splenic sinusoids that filter cellular waste.

According to research published in StatPearls, “The red pulp removes old, damaged, and/or useless red blood cells. Contained within the red pulp are also [white blood cells], particularly phagocytes (macrophages in particular), which destroy microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.”

Additionally, the red pulp stores blood cells and platelets, which are clot-forming cells that are sent throughout the body to mitigate injuries and blood loss.

The white pulp of the spleen consists of periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths and lymphatic nodules, which produce white blood cells called lymphocytes.

Lymphocytes release antibodies, which are disease-fighting proteins that help protect the body against antigens. Antigens are substances that trigger immune responses, such as bacteria and viruses.

The spleen also helps maintain fluid balance and stores about one cup of blood in reserve, ready to be released to compensate for blood loss from injury.

Conditions that can affect the spleen

Various conditions, diseases, and traumas can affect the spleen, including splenomegaly, functional asplenia, or rupture, often caused by accidents or contact sports. 

Splenomegaly, widely known as an enlarged spleen, is a serious complication characterized by swelling, discomfort, and abdominal pain. 

Many factors can contribute to spleen enlargement, including blood clots, liver diseases, blood cancers, and infections, such as mononucleosis or endocarditis. If left untreated, an enlarged spleen can rupture and become life-threatening.

Functional asplenism refers to reduced or impaired spleen function that typically results from sickle cell disease, physical damage, or celiac disease. 

These conditions can cause hypersplenism, in which the spleen starts to remove healthy blood cells, leading to anemia, bruising, and excessive bleeding. 

A damaged or ruptured spleen from blunt force trauma, such as a blow to the abdomen or a car accident, can also impact the spleen’s ability to function properly and lead to complications, including internal bleeding.

What happens if your spleen is removed?

If your spleen is ruptured due to abdominal injury or becomes enlarged, infected, or cancerous, it may be necessary to remove the spleen surgically, a procedure known as splenectomy. 

The spleen isn’t a vital organ, which means your body can function without it. This is likely due to the ability of other organs, such as the liver, to adapt and serve functions similar to those of the spleen.

However, a splenectomy can increase the risk of serious or life-threatening infections and make it more difficult to recover from viral or bacterial infections. 

“The spleen enhances your immune system by producing antibodies called lymphocytes,” explains Dr. Berg. When your spleen is removed, your body’s ability to fight infection and pathogens is significantly reduced.”

In patients with spleen disorders, the management of white blood cells, bleeding, blood clot formation, and infection risk becomes crucial.

According to research published in Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, vaccinations against pneumonia, influenza, and meningococci, along with routine antibiotic treatments, are often used in splenectomy patients to help prevent infection from common pathogens. 

However, these individuals are at increased risk of becoming antibiotic-resistant, which can further increase the risk of illness and make infections hard to treat.

While most people recover quickly after a splenectomy, it’s important to seek medical advice urgently if you develop a rash, abdominal pain, redness around the surgical wound, or fever.

Keeping your spleen healthy 

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help protect your spleen from damage, disease, and the need for removal. Consuming immune-boosting foods can also support optimal spleen function.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), staying hydrated with water, maintaining a healthy weight, and regular exercise can enhance immune defenses. 

However, if your spleen is enlarged or you have functional asplenism, it’s recommended to avoid intense exercise and heavy lifting, as strenuous activities can increase the risk of spleen rupture.

Additionally, getting at least eight hours of sleep and addressing addictions to tobacco and alcohol can lower your risk of serious infection and spleen problems.

A nutritious diet is one of the best ways to boost immunity and fortify your spleen. Consuming plenty of whole foods rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats provides essential nutrients for optimal spleen function and health. 

Focus on consuming crucial immune-boosting nutrients, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as zinc from food sources such as grass-fed beef, organ meat, oysters, non-starchy vegetables, wild-caught salmon, and leafy greens. 

Zinc especially plays a crucial role in maintaining spleen health by supporting the immune system and aiding in the production of white blood cells. Adequate zinc levels promote proper spleen function and can help prevent bacterial infections and inflammation.

Key takeaways

What does the spleen do? The spleen is a fist-sized organ belonging to the lymphatic system. It supports the immune system by helping remove damaged blood cells and producing infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies.

Spleen removal can elevate the risk of infection. To support your spleen health and lower infection risk, focus on a nutritious diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc.

FAQ

1. Can we live without a spleen?

Yes, you can live without a spleen. However, its removal may heighten the risk of severe illnesses and infections, which can be more challenging to recover from.

2. What is the life expectancy after spleen removal?

Splenectomy patients can live an average life expectancy but are at an increased risk of blood infection, especially within the first two years following surgery. These individuals will also have a two to three times greater risk of infection than those with spleens.

Those who have their spleen removed often require immunizations, antibiotic prophylaxis, and regular appointments with their healthcare provider to reduce the risk of illness.

3. What are the side effects of not having a spleen?

Though the liver can adapt and take over many of the spleen’s functions, not having a spleen does weaken the immune system. The side effects of splenectomy include a higher risk of infection, difficulties recovering from illness, and an increased risk of infection-related death. 

4. What foods help support the spleen?

Foods that bolster immune defenses also support a healthy spleen. Key nutrients for immune functions include zinc and vitamins A, C, D, and E, which are found in grass-fed beef, oysters, non-starchy vegetables, wild-caught salmon, and leafy greens.

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482235/ 

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5328222/