The spleen is a highly vascularized organ located in the left upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. What are the main functions of the spleen? (Select all that apply.)
a. Serve as reservoir for blood
b. Destroy worn-out RBCs
c. Promote phagocytosis
d. Responsible for development of T lymphocytes
e. Continuously produce RBCs during lifetime
ANS: A, B, C
The spleen stores 1 pint of blood, which can be released during emergencies, such as hemorrhage, in less than 60 seconds. The main functions of the spleen are (1) to serve as a reservoir for blood; (2) to form lymphocytes, monocytes, and plasma cells; (3) to destroy worn-out RBCs; (4) to remove bacteria by phagocytosis (engulfing and digesting); and (5) to produce RBCs before birth (the spleen is believed to produce RBCs after birth only in cases of extreme hemolytic anemia).
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