Major New Function Discovered For the Spleen 257
circletimessquare writes "The spleen doesn't get much respect — as one researcher put it, 'the spleen lacks the gravitas of neighboring organs.' Those undergoing a splenectomy seem to be able to carry on without any consequences. However, some studies have suggested an enhanced risk of early death for those who have undergone splenectomies. Now researchers have discovered why: the spleen apparently serves as a vast reservoir for monocytes, the largest of the white blood cells, the wrecking crew of the immune system. After major trauma, such as a heart attack, the monocytes are disgorged into the blood stream and immediately get to work repairing the damage. '"The parallel in military terms is a standing army," said Matthias Nahrendorf, an author of the report. "You don't want to have to recruit an entire fighting force from the ground up every time you need it."'"
First Post (Score:2, Funny)
So how long are their deployments?
-US Army soldier.
so just do like europe does then... (Score:0, Funny)
...when there's trouble you call the US. Or get a monocyte injection.
No problem. (Score:5, Funny)
However, some studies have suggested an enhanced risk of early death for those who have undergone splenectomies
I don't see how this is a problem. This is a new discovery- those old spleens didn't have this functionality yet.
Splenectomy Patients (Score:5, Funny)
My Dad had his spleen removed when he was a kid, and a number of years ago (10) was told he had to carry a card around with him that said something like
"I have had my spleen removed and may be subject to overwhelming infection."
Seriously. We told him he shouldn't use that as his opening gambit when talking to girls :-)
Re:What we don't know (Score:4, Funny)
Yet, somehow, we don't know the basic workings of our own bodies.
Proof that God is male- he ignores the concept of an instruction manual.
Re:Splenectomy Patients (Score:2, Funny)
Change two letters in that sentence and he might get some play:
"I have had my spleen removed and may be subject to overwhelming affection."
C'mon, that's ancient Pimp right there.
(Or just really really cheesy and creepy, I haven't figured it out yet.)
Re:And in Related News.. (Score:5, Funny)
Earlobes serve as a reservoir for gems and precious metals, in case of emergency financial distress.
Re:First Post (Score:1, Funny)
So how long are their deployments?
-US Army soldier.
Not very long but after 4 or 5 heart attacks the spleen has a much higher chance of committing suicide.
Re:How could the miss that? (Score:4, Funny)
If you persist with your LIES, you will be hearing from our lawyers.
Yours sincerely,
Yakult Honsha Co. Ltd
Re:How could the miss that? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:First Post (Score:5, Funny)
You fight disease with the spleen you have. Not the spleen you want.
Re:First Post (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Center of the Immune System (Score:4, Funny)
That's rubbish! You're lying and we all know it. What really happened was you were put on a waiting list to receive your rationed treatment options or more likely told you were too old and would need to be euthanized. If you were in the US you'd be alive and in debt, just like God intended.
Re:How could the miss that? (Score:3, Funny)
+1, Car analogy
Re:What we don't know (Score:3, Funny)
Unfortunately at the next major release they wipe the dev systems to clean out any faulty data. Sorry.
Re:Makes Sense (Score:4, Funny)