The
spleen is a wedge-shaped organ that is found in the upper left abdomen of the body between the fundus of the
stomach and the diaphragm. It is adjacent and in front of the left
kidney and weighs between 150-200 grams in adults. Most
vertebrates have this organ. Although the spleen is the site of several processes related to the body's defense which is mediated through the
lymphatic and
blood circulatory system, people can function without it after surgical removal. Other organs of the body can compensate to a certain degree and there are medications that are needed to help prevent disease occurrence because, without it, the
immune system is compromised.
[http://www.pitt.edu/~anat/Abdomen/Spleen/Spleen.htm] [http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec14/ch179/ch179a.html] [http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Spleen_explained]