Spleen of an Elderly White Male, Anterior View

Description

Presented in anterior perspective on a standing elderly male figure with partially transparent integument, the left upper quadrant is opened to the spleen tucked beneath the left costal margin, lateral to the gastric fundus and superior to the left colic flexure. Along its medial (visceral) surface, the indented splenic hilum is apparent, positioned adjacent to the tail of the pancreas and aligned with the course of the splenic artery and splenic vein as they approach from the patient’s left. Surrounding organs provide orientation: liver on the right hypochondrium, stomach in the epigastrium and left hypochondrium, small and large intestines filling the mid and lower abdomen, and the urinary bladder low in the pelvis. Spatial context is clear. That hilum-focused anterior view matters because most clinically relevant splenic interactions happen on the visceral surface, where the splenic vessels and lymphatics enter and exit, and where capsular traction can transmit injury during blunt left thoracoabdominal trauma. Splenomegaly from hematologic malignancy or portal hypertension often expands inferomedially, changing the relationship to the stomach and colon and increasing susceptibility to rupture. Keep the splenic tail-of-pancreas relationship in mind. It is the anatomic setup for iatrogenic pancreatic injury during splenectomy or hilar dissection. Use this artwork for gross anatomy and lymphatic system teaching when you need a realistic topographic map of spleen position relative to thoracic and abdominal viscera, or for clinical education materials on hypersplenism, splenic laceration grading, and postoperative considerations after splenectomy. It also suits internal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgical atlas pages that require an anterior whole-torso context rather than an isolated organ plate. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.