Abstract

Introduction: Spleen is an important secondary lymphoid organ. Now a day’s its immunological and haematological role in the body are well realised which enhances the clinical importance of spleen.  As spleen shows a wide range of morphological variations in routine dissection classes for under graduate students warranted an understanding of splenic morphometry. The aim of the study is to find out different morphological variations of spleen in the population of Odisha with its clinical significances and comparison of the results with previous studies.

Material and Methods: In the present study 50 human cadaveric spleens were taken. The shapes, poles, surfaces and borders of the spleen were observed. The Morphological features like length, breadth and width were measured by verniers calliper and weight of the spleen was being measured by electronic weighing balance.

Results: In the present study morphological variations were observed. The mean length of the spleen was 11.86cmranges from 8cm to 14 cm, the breadths of the spleen varied from 4cm to 10cm with an average breadth of 7.32cm and the width of the spleen vary from 2cm to 4.5cm with mean of 3.07cm.The weight of the spleen shows a wide range of variations ranging from 25grms to 300grms with an average weight of 106.65grms.  Out of 50 spleens (52%) were wedge shaped followed by tetrahedral (24%) triangular (10%), oval (8%) and irregular (2%).

Conclusions: A clear concept about the morphological  variations of the spleen are very useful to the physician, surgeons and the radiologists to compare and rule out the pathological conditions involved in various diseases of spleen.

Keywords: Secondary lymphoid organ, immunological and haematological role.