Spleen anatomy in 3D
The spleen sits in the upper left of the abdomen, behind the stomach and under the ribs. It filters the blood, clears old red cells and is a lymphatic organ where immune cells gather. It lies under the left ninth to eleventh ribs, with its long axis along the tenth rib. It touches the diaphragm, stomach, left kidney and left colic flexure, and the splenic artery and vein pass in and out at the hilum on its inner surface. Inside it is made of red pulp and white pulp.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the spleen?
The spleen sits in the upper left of the abdomen, behind the stomach and under the ribs.
What does the spleen do?
It filters the blood, clears old red cells and is a lymphatic organ where immune cells gather.
Which body system does the spleen belong to?
The spleen belongs to the lymphatic system: it is a lymphatic organ where immune cells gather.
Which ribs does the spleen lie under?
The left ninth to eleventh ribs, with its long axis along the tenth rib.
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