Western spleen

[Guest guest]

For those wanting more information on the spleen western and TCM

[Guest guest]

I have a patient who had his spleen removed a long

while ago.

Has anyone checked with these patients that have had their anatomical

spleens

removed, if they have ever verified whether they regenerated a new spleen

or not.

Possibly it's a slim chance, but maybe a good place to start if they

don't know.

Apparently, it is possible esp. if removed when a child.

 

The spleen can in many cases regenerate. Howard Pearson

at Yale University School of Medicine found that 13 of 22 children who

had their spleens removed due to trauma had evidence of forming new

spleens within 1-8 years. It is hypothesized that a few old spleen cells

left behind from the surgery triggered the regeneration.

http://www.myvits.com/bodymech/bodymech-spleen.htm

I think that Victoria's post refering to the pancreas and the Spleen was

a good one.

For further pancreas info:

http://www.myvits.com/bodymech/bodymech-pancreas-insulin.htm

Remember this or if you don't know....the western spleen is: (highlighted

are obvious

overlaps w/TCM and much of below seems to fit in the T & T fx of the

Spleen (PI),

also when there's Sp Qi Xu, whole body Qi is considered deficient)

The spleen is a large organ of the

lymphatic

system working with the

thymus, lymph

and bone marrow.

The spleen has the following functions:

1) Production of antibodies.

2) Increases the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell),

their ability to engulf harmful bacteria, and their sensitivity to find

the bacteria.

3) Forms blood,

especially active in fetal life.

4) Removes old and abnormal red blood cells, platelets, and other damaged

cells, from the circulation and reuses whatever parts it can.

5) Filters out bacteria and parasites from the blood and lymph that have

been killed by white blood cells.

6)Acts as a reservoir for blood, platelets, and blood cells, to be

released when needed (blood loss, infection, hemorrhage, strenuous

exercise). These are released via signals of epinephrine from the

adrenals and sympathetics.

Symptoms of Spleen Dysfunction

1) Symptoms of spleen dysfunction can

include: paleness, anemia,

tiredness, headaches, dizziness,

irritability, left upper quadrant abdominal pain, soapy taste in mouth,

nausea, being easily winded.

2) People with weak spleens are more prone to swollen glands, sore

throat, infections, lupus.

3) People with enlarged spleens get full easily due to its encroachment

on the stomach.

http://www.myvits.com/bodymech/bodymech-spleen.ht

TCM Spleen (Pi): (the use of Pinyin is to further cut down on confusion

between Western and Chinese, capital

letters are also used to indicate that the meaning is not the same

between the two systems)

Functions:

1. Rules Transformation and Transportation

2. Rules the Muscles and the Limbs.

3. Governs Xue (Blood)

4. Holds up the Organs

5. Opens into the Mouth; Manifests in the Lips

Pi is the foundation of postnatal life. Under the influence of Pi the

digestion of food and drink are seperated

into relatively pure and impure fractions. The impure goes to

Xiao Chang & Da Chang (SI & LI) and Pang

Guang (BL). The pure is sent to Fei (LU) where it is converted to

Qi, Xue and Jin Ye (Body Fluids)

If the Pi function is harmonious there is sufficient Qi, Xue, and Jin Ye

for the needs of the Body. If T & T is

is impaired, then there may be Dificient Qi and Deficient Xue, and

possible acumulation and stagnation of Jin Ye

as Damp and Phlegm. Also, since Pi is the main digestive organ in

TCM if it is deficient there may be a variety alimentary

disharmonies.

The above info is mainly from " Zang Fu: The Organ Systems of

Traditional " Jeremy Ross

Kit