Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
9-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
9-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION: From helping defend the body against infections to cleaning the blood of damaged red blood cells, the spleen is crucial to maintaining homeostasis for primates. The primary objective of this study was to analyze anatomical variations of cadaveric spleens and determine an association with demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals; and thus enrich the current understanding of splenic variations in the South Eastern part of the US.
METHODS: The present study was conducted with specimens from two gross anatomy cadaver labs, with data from donor cadavers at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia and PCOM South Georgia campuses. A total of 37 cadavers were studied for variations in measurement of shape, weight, length, width, thickness, and length of spleen. Other characteristics noted were presence and number of notches, and the presence or absence of an accessory spleen, and the cause of death of the individual.
RESULTS: The average spleen weight for this study was 164 grams which is slightly more than the average spleen weight found in previous studies. Cadavers with reported cardiovascular and cancer related causes of death had an associated increase in spleen size and weight. 66% of the cadavers with malignancy had a spleen size greater than 160 grams. The two largest spleens weighed 432 and 427 grams and had an associated cause of death of colon cancer and lung cancer respectively. In five out of the 13 cadavers that expired from cardiovascular complications, spleens weighed greater than 200 grams. The three most common shapes found among the cadavers were oval, triangular, and oblong. Two accessory spleens were observed, with one being triangular and the other irregularly shaped. Majority of cadavers have notches, with 6 being the most notches observed in this group.
DISCUSSION: Concentrating on increased spleen size and associated disease processes is of particular importance as splenomegaly can be a clinical sign detected upon physical exam and a variety of medical scans. Understanding what diseases could be associated with increased spleen size will aid health care professionals in developing a more comprehensive differential diagnosis. Histopathology should be evaluated along with spleen morphology in future studies to further confirm disease correlation with spleen size.
Embargo Period
1-10-2024
Clinical significance of the anatomical variations in splenic morphology
Moultrie, GA
INTRODUCTION: From helping defend the body against infections to cleaning the blood of damaged red blood cells, the spleen is crucial to maintaining homeostasis for primates. The primary objective of this study was to analyze anatomical variations of cadaveric spleens and determine an association with demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals; and thus enrich the current understanding of splenic variations in the South Eastern part of the US.
METHODS: The present study was conducted with specimens from two gross anatomy cadaver labs, with data from donor cadavers at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Georgia and PCOM South Georgia campuses. A total of 37 cadavers were studied for variations in measurement of shape, weight, length, width, thickness, and length of spleen. Other characteristics noted were presence and number of notches, and the presence or absence of an accessory spleen, and the cause of death of the individual.
RESULTS: The average spleen weight for this study was 164 grams which is slightly more than the average spleen weight found in previous studies. Cadavers with reported cardiovascular and cancer related causes of death had an associated increase in spleen size and weight. 66% of the cadavers with malignancy had a spleen size greater than 160 grams. The two largest spleens weighed 432 and 427 grams and had an associated cause of death of colon cancer and lung cancer respectively. In five out of the 13 cadavers that expired from cardiovascular complications, spleens weighed greater than 200 grams. The three most common shapes found among the cadavers were oval, triangular, and oblong. Two accessory spleens were observed, with one being triangular and the other irregularly shaped. Majority of cadavers have notches, with 6 being the most notches observed in this group.
DISCUSSION: Concentrating on increased spleen size and associated disease processes is of particular importance as splenomegaly can be a clinical sign detected upon physical exam and a variety of medical scans. Understanding what diseases could be associated with increased spleen size will aid health care professionals in developing a more comprehensive differential diagnosis. Histopathology should be evaluated along with spleen morphology in future studies to further confirm disease correlation with spleen size.