Splenic function: normal, too much and too little.
This review is concerned with normal splenic function, mechanisms and consequences of splenomegaly, hypersplenism, the medical indications for splenectomy and the various aspects of hyposplenism. The potential probelm of lethal septicemia in hyposplenic or asplenic patients is also considered.
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001284:Atrophy; D006801:Humans; D006971:Hypersplenism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013154:Spleen / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013156:Splenectomy; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology