What Causes an Enlarged Spleen?
The spleen is one of the most important organs in the body located in the upper-left part of the abdomen where it is protected by the ribcage. Its functions include storage of red blood cells, production and storage of lymphocytes, filtration of blood, and destruction of old and abnormal red blood cells. Certain dysfunctions and illnesses can lead to an enlarged spleen; a potentially serious, but treatable condition.
A typical healthy spleen is 1 inch thick, 3 inches wide, 5 inches long, and weighs about 7 ounces. These measurements keep changing as a consequence of the workings of the spleen. An enlarged spleen, on the other hand, weighs more than 35 ounces and is longer than 8 inches. In most cases, an enlarged spleen is diagnosed during a medical examination when the doctor notices a palpable spleen. However, palpability of the spleen is usually only possible in a slim person, and is therefore not a good basis to reach a diagnosis of an enlarged spleen.
