Clinical anatomy and physiology of the spleen.

Knowledge of the anatomy and function of the spleen is essential for the assessment of its role in disease. Of particular importance is the contribution of the spleen to the immune response and defence against infection, and the need to preserve this by a more conservative approach to the management of the ruptured spleen. Information regarding the segmental blood supply is being reassessed for possible application in surgery, while other methods of protecting children from episodes of overwhelming infection following splenectomy are in the process of evaluation.