Pinniped splenic volumes.
Splenic volume was measured by computerized axial tomography in three harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and two California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Volumes ranged from 228 to 679 ml, representing 0.8-3.0% of calculated percentage body mass. Despite possible variation in the state of splenic contraction during the examination, these values are in the upper range of reported mammalian splenic volumes (as % of body mass). This reinforces the pinniped splenic erythrocyte storage concept.
Ponganis
P J
PJ
Physiological Research Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093.
Kooyman
G L
GL
Sartoris
D
D
Jobsis
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D010872:Caniformia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009929:Organ Size; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed