After surgical removal of the spleen (i.e., a splenectomy), some other organs take over most of its functions. Which of the following spleen functions in the adult can be performed by bone marrow?

A. immune surveillance
B. erythropoiesis
C. removal of aged and damaged red blood cells from the blood
D. storage of platelets


Ans: C. removal of aged and damaged red blood cells from the blood.
The bone marrow lacks mature macrophages. Macrophages are essential in the destruction of red blood cells in the spleen.

Anatomy & Physiology

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