The spleen is located on the left hand side of your body, between your stomach and diaphragm. Its function is to clean your blood, destroying old red blood cells and fighting infection. It is part of your lymphatic (infection fighting) system.

Filtering blood

Your spleen acts as a filter for your blood, cleansing it of bacteria, viruses and other debris. When blood flows through your spleen, white blood cells attack and remove any foreign invaders. This keeps your blood clean and helps protect you against infection.

Destroying old red-blood cells

Red blood cells have a lifespan of around 120 days, after which your spleen breaks them down. The red blood cell remains are transported elsewhere in your body where they are excreted or recycled to make new red blood cells.

Living without a spleen

It is possible to live without a spleen as most of its functions can be taken over by other organs. However, people without spleens are more vulnerable to all kinds of infections.