Figure 1. (a) Macroscopic view of vertical section through spleen showing the entry of blood vessels and meshwork of vascular cords. (b) Schematic diagram of the spleen showing red and white pulp and lymph nodes. (c) Schematic diagram of the circulation in the ‘red pulp’ of the spleen to show both the direct vascular connection and the pathway through sinuses. The ‘white pulp’ with lymph nodes is also represented. (d) CT scan, axial view of abdomen showing normal spleen on right and liver on left as viewed. Courtesy of Dr Mark Paley, Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Figure 2. Blood film showing features of hyposplenism: Howell–Jolly bodies and a normoblast, contracted cells, polychromatic cells and pitting.

Figure 3. (a) CT scan, axial view of abdomen showing enlarged spleen infiltrated by sarcoma. (b) MRI scan, axial view of abdomen showing normal spleen. (c) MRI scan; same case as (b) at a different setting; note the pancreas in (b) and (c). Courtesy of Dr Mark Paley, Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Figure 4. Imaging over the torso after administration of radionuclide-labelled red cells. The markings indicate the xiphisternum and lower costal margin. (a) Autologous normal cells, showing red cell pool in the spleen and blood flow in the heart; anterior view. (b) Heat-damaged red cells to demonstrate functionally normal spleen which is not palpable below the costal margin; anterior view. (c) Heat-damaged red cells have been taken up only in the liver, indicating hyposplenism; anterior view. (d) Heat-damaged red cells have been taken up predominantly in the liver, but there is also a small functionally active splenuncule that is visualized better on posterior view.