What Does the Spleen Do?
The spleen is a small organ located in the upper-left side of the abdomen under the diaphragm and behind the stomach. Its location is between the ninth and the eleventh ribs. An average, healthy spleen is about one inch thick, three inches wide, five inches long, and weighs about seven ounces. If, however, the spleen has an infection or inflammation, it could be enlarged and weigh as much as four pounds.
On the outside, the spleen is covered by smooth tissue that forms a capsule under which are two main types of tissues called the red pulp and the white pulp. Each of the two types of tissue has its unique functions: one relating to blood, and the other relating to lymph fluid. Although the spleen is small in size, it is an important organ with multiple roles in the body.
