Ectopic spleen AKA?

Ectopic spleen AKA?

• A. Wandering spleen
• B. Accessory spleen
• C. Situs Inversus
• D. Situs Ambiguous

Answer: (A)

Wandering spleen is the form of ectopic spleen. It happens when the ligaments that normally hold the spleen in place (like the gastrosplenic, splenorenal, and splenocolic ligaments) are lax or absent, allowing the spleen to migrate from its usual left upper quadrant position to other parts of the abdomen or pelvis. This mobility can lead to torsion of the splenic vessels and potential infarction, which is why recognizing a wandering (ectopically located) spleen matters clinically. Accessory spleen refers to additional splenic tissue near the hilum, not an actual displaced primary spleen. Situs inversus and situs ambiguous describe different patterns of organ arrangement, not a mobile spleen.

Wandering spleen is the form of ectopic spleen. It happens when the ligaments that normally hold the spleen in place (like the gastrosplenic, splenorenal, and splenocolic ligaments) are lax or absent, allowing the spleen to migrate from its usual left upper quadrant position to other parts of the abdomen or pelvis. This mobility can lead to torsion of the splenic vessels and potential infarction, which is why recognizing a wandering (ectopically located) spleen matters clinically.

Accessory spleen refers to additional splenic tissue near the hilum, not an actual displaced primary spleen. Situs inversus and situs ambiguous describe different patterns of organ arrangement, not a mobile spleen.