Splenomegaly and Sports.

摘要

The spleen is an oft forgotten but important organ that can be involved in many pathologic conditions. The spleen contains many tissue types and has numerous functions including production of various cell lines such as erythrocytes, myelocytes, megakaryocytes and macrophages. It is important for cellular and humoral immunity as 25% lymphoid tissue is found in the spleen and it removes circulating bacteria, particularly encapsulated species. The spleen also serves as a repository for platelets and helps remove senescent red cells toward the end of their functional life. Patients with asplenia (functional or anatomical) have increased susceptibility to infections with encapsulated bacteria and often have throm-bocytosis, leukocytosis along with multiple microscopic red call abnormalities.