MICROSPLENIA Meaning and
Definition
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Microsplenia is a medical term that refers to a rare congenital condition characterized by an abnormally small or underdeveloped spleen. The term is derived from the Greek words "micros," meaning small, and "splen," meaning spleen. The spleen is an organ located on the left side of the abdomen, near the stomach. It plays various important roles in the immune system, such as filtering and removing old or damaged red blood cells, producing antibodies, and helping in the defense against certain infections.
Individuals diagnosed with microsplenia typically exhibit an abnormality in the size, shape, or functionality of their spleen. The condition can be present at birth or may develop during fetal development. Microsplenia can be either partial, where only a portion of the spleen is affected, or complete, where the entire organ is significantly smaller than normal. In some cases, the spleen may be absent altogether, which is known as asplenia.
Due to the crucial role of the spleen in the immune system, individuals with microsplenia are more susceptible to certain infections, particularly those caused by encapsulated bacteria. These individuals may require specific vaccines and antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent severe infections. In some cases, microsplenia may be associated with other congenital disorders or genetic syndromes.
The diagnosis of microsplenia is typically made through medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. Treatment options for microsplenia may include medical management to prevent infections, close monitoring, and periodic screenings. In some cases, surgical intervention, such as splenectomy (removal of the spleen), may be necessary to manage complications or recurrent infections.
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Abnormal smallness of the spleen.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MICROSPLENIA
- nicrosplenia
- kicrosplenia
- jicrosplenia
- mucrosplenia
- mjcrosplenia
- mkcrosplenia
- mocrosplenia
- m9crosplenia
- m8crosplenia
- mixrosplenia
- mivrosplenia
- mifrosplenia
- midrosplenia
- miceosplenia
- micdosplenia
- micfosplenia
- mictosplenia
- mic5osplenia
- mic4osplenia
- micrisplenia
Etymology of MICROSPLENIA
The term "microsplenia" is derived from two Greek words: "micros" meaning small and "splenia" referring to the spleen.
The prefix "micro-" indicates something small or tiny, while "splenia" refers to the spleen, which is an organ located in the upper left side of the abdomen.
Therefore, "microsplenia" refers to a condition where the spleen is abnormally small in size.
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