Are the liver and spleen connected?

Are the liver and spleen connected?

As the largest lymphoid organ in the body, the spleen contains highly elaborate tissue structures and is anatomically linked to the liver via the portal vein system [1, 2].

Where do you feel pain from your spleen?

Spleen pain is usually felt as a pain behind your left ribs. It may be tender when you touch the area. This can be a sign of a damaged, ruptured or enlarged spleen.

Where is the liver and spleen located?

The liver is in the upper abdomen near the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and pancreas. The liver has a right lobe and a left lobe.

How does an enlarged spleen feel?

Palpation for splenic enlargement should begin with the patient supine and with knees flexed. Using the right hand, the examiner should begin well below the left costal margin and feel gently but firmly for the splenic edge by pushing down, then cephalad, then releasing (Figure 150.1).

What causes the liver and spleen to enlarge?

What causes enlarged liver and spleen? Enlarged liver and spleen has a variety of causes including infections, blood disorders, liver disease, and cancers.

What do the liver and spleen do?

Did you know that your: Liver performs more than 300 functions and helps some of your other organs do their jobs? Spleen acts as a filter for your blood — removing old or damaged red blood cells?

What foods irritate the spleen?

Think of the spleen as being powered by heat. Frozen food, icy drinks, cucumber, bitter or winter melon, lettuce and grapefruit deplete the spleen’s “fire”. Foods that are “damp” – such as dairy products, refined sugars and sweets – can also smother the digestive process.

How do you check your spleen at home?

Technique

1. Start in RLQ (so you don’t miss a giant spleen).
2. Get your fingers set then ask patient to take a deep breath.
3. When patient expires, take up new position.
4. Note lowest point of spleen below costal margin, texture of splenic contour, and tenderness.
5. If spleen is not felt, repeat with pt lying on right side.

What are the signs of a spleen problem?

Symptoms

• Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder.
• A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach.
• Low red blood cells (anemia)
• Frequent infections.
• Bleeding easily.

What causes an enlarged spleen and liver?

An enlarged spleen is the result of damage or trauma to the spleen from any of several different medical conditions, diseases, or types of physical trauma. Infections, liver problems, blood cancers, and metabolic disorders can all cause your spleen to become enlarged, a condition called splenomegaly.

How do you know if something is wrong with your spleen?

Pain or fullness in the left upper belly that can spread to the left shoulder. A feeling of fullness without eating or after eating a small amount because the spleen is pressing on your stomach. Low red blood cells (anemia) Frequent infections.

How do you treat an enlarged liver and spleen?

To reduce your risk of liver disease, you can:

1. Eat a healthy diet.
2. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
3. Follow directions when taking medications, vitamins or supplements.
4. Limit contact with chemicals.
5. Maintain a healthy weight.
6. Quit smoking.
7. Use supplements with caution.

What causes enlarged spleen and fatty liver?

Alcohol: There are many causes of enlarged liver and spleen, however, the most common thing people do intentionally that causes this abnormality is drink excessively that causes fatty liver and cirrhosis . Other diseases, like infections, leukemias, lymphomas can also cause enlargement of these organs.

Is splenomegaly cancer?

Splenomegaly is a medical condition in which the spleen becomes enlarged. Causes for splenomegaly may include infections, blood cancers, liver diseases, and metabolic disorders, or even undue pressure on the liver and spleen’s veins or blood clots in those veins. Specific diseases that may cause the condition include…

What are the parts of the spleen?

The spleen is composed of a network of reticular tissue that contains reticular cells, many lymphocytes and other blood cells, macrophages , and APCs. The splenic pulp has two components, the white pulp and the red pulp.

Where is the spleen and gallbladder located?

The spleen, pancreas and gall bladder. The spleen is a non-vital organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdominopelvic region.