Changes

*Branches before it reaches the spleen in dogs and cats</p>

*Branches before it reaches the spleen in dogs and cats</p>

===Innervation===

===Innervation===

Innervation is purely sympathetic[[LH References - Anatomy & Physiology#Nance|^Ref:Nance]] and nerve fibres travel with the artery into the spleen.

Innervation is purely sympathetic<ref>{{citation|initiallast = Nance|initialfirst = D.M|finallast = Sanders|finalfirst = V.M|year = 2007|jtitle = Autonomic innervation and regulation of the immune system (1987-2007)|jor = Brain, Behavior, and Immunity|vol = 21(6)|range = 736-745}}</ref> and nerve fibres travel with the artery into the spleen.

===Histology===

===Histology===

<gallery perrow="3">

<gallery perrow="3">

Image:LH_Spleen_Rat_Higher_4_Histology.jpg|<p>'''Trabeculae & eErythrocytes (rat)'''</p>^{©RVC 2008}

Image:LH_Spleen_Rat_Higher_4_Histology.jpg|<p>'''Trabeculae & eErythrocytes (rat)'''</p>^{©RVC 2008}

Image:LH_Spleen_Mouse_Higher_Histology.jpg|<p>'''Megakaryocyte & macrophages (mouse)'''</p>^{©RVC 2008}</gallery>

Image:LH_Spleen_Mouse_Higher_Histology.jpg|<p>'''Megakaryocyte & macrophages (mouse)'''</p>^{©RVC 2008}</gallery>

==Functions==

==Functions==

<p>The spleen has a number of functions:

<p>The spleen has a number of functions:

<p>Blood flows through the marginal sinus meaning that most antigens present in the blood come into contact with the [[Lymphocytes - Anatomy & Physiology#B cells|B lymphocytes]] and dendritic cells in the spleen. Dendritic cells in the marginal sinus and red pulp take up antigens from the blood and transport them to the primary follicles in the white pulp. If the antigen activates the [[Lymphocytes - Anatomy & Physiology#B cells|B lymphocytes]] then a germinal centre will form in the primary follicle and this is called a splenic nodule. Antibody producing cells then migrate to the red pulp and marginal zone.</p>

<p>Blood flows through the marginal sinus meaning that most antigens present in the blood come into contact with the [[Lymphocytes - Anatomy & Physiology#B cells|B lymphocytes]] and dendritic cells in the spleen. Dendritic cells in the marginal sinus and red pulp take up antigens from the blood and transport them to the primary follicles in the white pulp. If the antigen activates the [[Lymphocytes - Anatomy & Physiology#B cells|B lymphocytes]] then a germinal centre will form in the primary follicle and this is called a splenic nodule. Antibody producing cells then migrate to the red pulp and marginal zone.</p>

<p>Following splenectomy this doesn’t occur and animals are predisposed to septicaemia and infection with blood [[Protozoa|protozoa]].</p>

<p>Following splenectomy this doesn’t occur and animals are predisposed to septicaemia and infection with blood [[Protozoa|protozoa]].</p>

==In pathology==

==In pathology==

===Direct pathology===

===Direct pathology===

*[[Poxviruses#Histopathology|Leporipoxviruses]] & [[Oral Cavity - Cavity & Gingiva#Erosive & Ulcerative Pathology|bovine viral diarrhoea disease]]

*[[Poxviruses#Histopathology|Leporipoxviruses]] & [[Oral Cavity - Cavity & Gingiva#Erosive & Ulcerative Pathology|bovine viral diarrhoea disease]]

*[[General Pathology - Pigmentation and Calcification#Haemosiderin|Haemolytic disorders]]

*[[General Pathology - Pigmentation and Calcification#Haemosiderin|Haemolytic disorders]]