What Does the Spleen Do?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
2. Breaks Down Old and Damaged Blood Cells
Once old and damaged cells are filtered out, a type of white blood cell in the spleen called macrophage goes on to break them down. This ensures that the damaged cells can no longer get back into circulation.
The resultant materials, which include iron and proteins, are then stored within the spleen ready for recycling to produce new red blood cells in sites within the bone marrow.
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