Your body is an incredible machine with countless parts working together to keep you healthy. While you’re probably familiar with the superstars — heart, lungs, brain — there’s an underappreciated player that deserves some serious recognition. That small, fist-sized organ tucked under your ribs on the left side of your abdomen? It’s your spleen, and it’s secretly working overtime to keep infections at bay.
The spleen’s secret double life
Most people only hear about the spleen when something goes wrong with it or when someone suffers an injury and needs to have it removed. But this mysterious organ deserves way more credit than it gets.
Think of your spleen as that friend who quietly handles all the important stuff at a party while everyone else gets the attention. While your heart pumps and your lungs breathe dramatically, your spleen is filtering blood, recycling old cells, and coordinating immune responses like a boss.
Your blood makes a pretty incredible journey through your spleen. About a cup of blood passes through it every minute. The spleen acts like a sophisticated filtration system, removing old, damaged red blood cells and platelets from circulation.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Your spleen doesn’t just toss these cells in the trash. It’s actually an expert recycler. It breaks down those old red blood cells and recovers valuable iron, which then gets reused to make brand new red blood cells. Talk about sustainability.
Your spleen houses specialized white blood cells called lymphocytes, which include B cells and T cells. These cells are like your body’s personal army against infection.
B cells produce antibodies, which are like custom-made weapons designed to attack specific invaders. When you get sick, these cells remember the intruder so they can respond even faster next time.
T cells, meanwhile, directly attack infected cells and help coordinate the broader immune response. Think of them as both the soldiers and the generals of your immune system.
The emergency response team
When infection strikes, your spleen kicks into high gear. It’s like the body’s emergency response center.
Your spleen contains special macrophages that can recognize and capture bacteria, viruses, and other harmful invaders in your bloodstream. These cells have receptors that can identify patterns common to many pathogens, allowing them to respond quickly even to threats your body hasn’t seen before.
When pathogens are detected, your spleen becomes an antibody-producing powerhouse. The B cells mentioned earlier start cranking out antibodies specific to the invader. These antibodies then travel through your bloodstream, tagging pathogens for destruction and neutralizing their ability to cause harm.
In emergencies like serious blood loss, your spleen can contract and release stored blood into circulation. It’s like having a built-in blood bank for emergencies. This can help maintain blood pressure and oxygen delivery to vital organs when you need it most.
Living without a spleen
Sometimes injuries or certain medical conditions require surgical removal of the spleen, a procedure called a splenectomy. The good news is that you can live without your spleen. Other organs like the liver can take over some of its functions, and the rest of your immune system adapts to pick up the slack.
However, people without spleens do face some increased risks. Without your spleen, you’re more susceptible to certain bacterial infections, especially those caused by encapsulated bacteria like pneumococcus, meningococcus, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. These bacteria have protective coatings that make them harder for the rest of the immune system to recognize.
If you’ve had your spleen removed, doctors typically recommend:
- Vaccines against pneumococcus, meningococcus, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and yearly flu shots
- Preventive antibiotics, especially in children
- Prompt medical attention for any fever or signs of infection
- Medical alert bracelet or card to inform healthcare providers
Keeping your spleen happy
For most of us lucky enough to have our spleens intact, there are ways to support this hardworking organ.
Since the spleen sits just under your lower left ribs, it can be vulnerable to injury, especially during contact sports. Consider appropriate protective gear when participating in activities with a high risk of abdominal trauma.
What’s good for your overall immune system is good for your spleen. This includes:
- A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Regular exercise
- Adequate sleep
- Stress management
- Limited alcohol consumption
Pay attention to any unexplained pain in the upper left part of your abdomen, especially if it worsens when you take a deep breath. This could indicate an enlarged or injured spleen and warrants medical attention.
The bottom line
Your spleen might not get the glory of organs like your heart or brain, but its contributions to your immune system are nothing short of remarkable. This multitasking marvel filters your blood, fights infections, stores emergency blood supplies, and recycles cellular components.
So next time you successfully fight off an infection, maybe spare a thought for your spleen, silently working away under your ribs to keep you healthy. It might just be the unsung hero your body can’t live without.
