Splenomegaly can affect people from all age level and without racial and sexual predilection. Older adults on the other hand are more prone for enlarged spleen owing to the normal aging process where spleen is subject to thinning with increase weight and size and thus, potential for splenic injury and trauma. Spleen is a tiny organ about the size of a fist and is located in the peritoneal cavity particularly in the right upper quadrant. It is housed and protected by the rib cage and the average weight is about 200g and size is about 11cm in length in healthy adults. The function of this organ is vital to sustain a healthy functioning of the body system. Spleen functions in filtering blood and removing byproducts of red blood cells breakdown including other materials and particles that can pass through the blood vessels. Spleen also functions in helping the immune system by synthesizing lymphocytes.
Four syndromes of enlarged spleen categorized in TCM diagnosis
Syndrome of Spleen and Stomach Deificiency
Syndromeof Kidney Yang Deficiency
Syndrome of Heavy Accumulation of Damp-Heat
Syndrome of Kidney and Spleen Deficiency