An organ in the upper left abdomen that filters blood, removes old red blood cells, and plays important roles in immune function. It also stores blood and helps fight certain types of bacteria.
From Greek 'splen,' the term has remained relatively unchanged since ancient times. Ancient physicians associated the spleen with melancholy and bad temper, giving rise to the adjective 'splenetic' meaning irritable.
The spleen is like the body's blood recycling center and immune checkpoint rolled into one! It can actually contract like a muscle to squeeze stored blood back into circulation during emergencies, and it's so good at filtering bacteria that people without spleens need special vaccinations.
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