Spleen injuries
Disease Information
In-Depth
What is the spleen and what does it do?
The spleen is a curved, disc-shaped organ four inches around and about two inches thick. It sits under the lower part of the left side of the ribs. The spleen filters infections and worn out blood cells from the body. People without a spleen have a harder time fighting off some infections.
Might my child have a spleen injury?
The following are symptoms of a spleen injury:
- pain in the left side of the abdomen
- pain in left shoulder
- lightheaded feeling
- paleness
- weak pulse
