Normal anatomy

The spleen is located posterolaterally in the left hypochondrium, is 10-12 cm in length and 6-8 cm in width, and weighs 150-200 g. The most common anatomical variant to be seen is an accessory spleen, i.e. one or more splenunculi that usually lie in the vicinity of the splenic hilum. The size of the spleen, especially its length, may be estimated on plain radiography but is best evaluated by US, CT or MRI.

a	Figure 50. Splenic infiltrates. (a) On US several foci of low echogenicity (arrows) are seen within the spleen; these proved to be infiltrates. (b) Diffuse infiltrates are seen in an enlarged spleen on this contrast-enhancement CT; these were due to sarcoidosis of the spleen.
b

David J. Allison and Carl-Gustaf Standertskjold-Nordenstam