What is the purpose of the spleen? Can I live without one?
I’m your spleen. I’m a purplish-red organ shaped like a loose fist and located in the upper-left part of your abdominal cavity. I have been called “the most ignored and misunderstood of all organs.” In ancient times, people believed I was the seat of the emotions, but actually I am an integral part of your immune system. My job description includes: • filtering out foreign organisms that infect your blood • removing your old or damaged platelets and red blood cells • storing extra blood and releasing it as needed • forming some types of white blood cells If I become injured or diseased, I may have to be removed through a medical procedure called a splenectomy. About 1% of the population is spleenless. You can live without me (although important, I am not a vit
