What is the spleen?
The spleen is a fist-sized organ located on the upper left side of the abdomen, just under the ribs. It plays an important role in the immune system by helping the body fight infections and filtering harmful bacteria from the blood.
Without a functioning spleen, the body is less able to fight certain serious infections.
What does the spleen do?
The spleen performs several important functions that help support the body’s immune system, including:
- Prevent infection – The spleen helps the body fight infection by removing bacteria, particularly encapsulated bacteria, from the blood stream.
- Filtration system – As blood flows through the spleen, any old or damaged red blood cells are broken down and removed.
- Blood reservoir – The spleen stores red blood cells and platelets. In the event of significant blood loss, the spleen releases these components into the bloodstream.
Learn more about Disorders of the spleen
