Unsolved Problems of Human Splenic Structure and Function

Abstract

The structure of the splenic arterial tree and the organisation of splenic blood circulation is still incompletely known in humans. In comparison to rats there is a much more extensive branching of the intrasplenic arteries and arterioles in humans. Our preliminary results indicate that, for example, human splenic follicles are associated with more than one arteriole. In humans, but not in rats, arterioles of identical site may either be covered by a T cell sheath or run directly through a germinal centre or through a corona. Thus, the term “central arteriole”, indicating that an arteriole is located centrally in the PALS, is extremely difficult to apply in humans. It may, in fact, only be applicable to the larger vessels. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the course of intrasplenic arteries and arterioles are required to solve this problem.