Cow spleen is the largest of the heterogeneous group of organs that are actually designated as lymphatic glands. Here, I will describe the anatomy of the cow’s spleen with a hand-drawn diagram and real pictures.
Quick answer: The cow spleen is a lymphatic organ whose anatomy is described by the features of its surfaces, borders, extremities, and hilum.
As a heterogeneous group of organ, spleen is described under the lymphatic system and also under the digestive system.
Where is the spleen in a cow?
Figure 1 presents the hand-drawing diagram of the location of the cow’s spleen. Here, the elongated structure/spleen (marked in the figure) is viewed from the left side of the cow’s abdominal cavity.
However, the figure also shows that the long axis of the spleen is directed obliquely downward and forward. It also faces the two important structures of the abdomen, the rumen and the diaphragm, from different aspects.
Thus, now you may easily mention the location of the cow’s spleen perfectly –
Location: The cow’s spleen is located in the upper end and left part of the abdomen between the left face of the rumen and the diaphragm.
Only a small part of its parietal surface (external) attaches to the diaphragm. At the same time, the full visceral surface attaches to the cranial sac of the left face of the rumen. Here, the rumen is the largest compartment of the cow’s stomach.
Cow spleen anatomy
You will find the variation in the shape and size of the spleen among the species. Figure 2 highlights the schematic presentation of the shape and extremities of the cow’s spleen.
- Shape and extremities: Thus, in a cow, it is elongated, flat, and elliptical in outline. However, it possesses two extremities which are thin and rounded.
- Color and weight: The cow’s spleen is bluish red or purple in color. However, the average weight is about 900 grams in a average sized cow.
- Length: The average length of the spleen is about 50 centimeters, whereas the width is about 15 centimeters. However, the thickness varies and is 3 to 4 centimeters at its middle.
So, what should you describe under the anatomy of the cow’s spleen? Well, as an elongated and flat organ, the spleen possesses the surfaces, borders, and extremities (according to Figure 2).
Thus, in the cow, you will find the followings –
- Surfaces: It presents two surfaces – parietal/external/lateral and visceral/internal/medial surfaces.
- Borders: It presents two borders – anterior and posterior borders.
- Extremities: It presents two extremities – proximal/dorsal and distal/ventral extremities.
- Hilus/hilum: It contains the splenic artery and vein.
All the above-mentioned anatomical features are identified in Figure 3. I made this figure with a combination of the hand-drawing diagram and real spleen pictures.
This figure might help you to describe the cow’s spleen anatomy perfectly.
Surfaces of the cow spleen
Figure 4 highlights both the parietal and visceral surfaces of the cow’s spleen anatomy. Here, the external convex surface of the spleen is the parietal surface, whereas the internal concave area is the visceral surface.
What should you describe from these surfaces of the spleen? Well, I suggest that you describe the topographic relationship of various organs or structures with these surfaces of the spleen.
Parietal surface of the spleen
Here, the parietal surface of the spleen is directly related to the diaphragm. However, you will find a small, narrow area on this parietal surface at its upper part near the anterior border (Figure 5).
It is devoid of the peritoneal covering and directly attached to the diaphragm. Here, Figure 5 presents the small, narrow area on the parietal surface of the spleen that is devoid of peritoneal covering.
However, there is a contact of this surface with the dorsal part of the last two ribs. Again, this surface is usually in contact to a small extent with the flank at the lumbocostal angle.
Visceral surface of the spleen
The visceral surface of the cow’s spleen is chiefly related to the parietal surface of the left face of the rumen. However, it also attaches to the narrow adjacent part of the reticulum compartment of the stomach.
The cranial half of the visceral surface of the spleen is adhered to the rumen. This area is also devoid of the serous peritoneal covering. The ventral half of the visceral surface is almost free.
Borders of the spleen
Figure 6 highlights the two borders of the cow’s spleen. I have prepared this figure with both hand-drawing and real pictures of the spleen.
Anterior/cranial border: Here, the figure presents the anterior border as a thin and concave structure.
Posterior/caudal border: In the figure, the posterior border of the spleen is also thin but convex.
Where is the hilus of the spleen?
The hilus of the spleen is situated on the dorsal third of the visceral surface near the cranial border. Here, Figure 7 presents the schematic diagram/presentation of the hilus of the spleen.
Here, the figure shows the splenic vein and splenic artery as the contents of the hilum.
Extremities of the cow’s spleen anatomy
Figure 8 presents the schematic presentation/diagram of the extremities of the cow’s spleen. Here, it presents a rounded large dorsal extremity and a rounder smaller ventral extremity.
Here, the figure shows the dorsal extremity faces proximally, whereas the distal extremity faces distally from the stomach.
Dorsal extremity: The dorsal extremity of the cow’s spleen lies under the proximal ends of the last two ribs. Sometimes, the dorsal/proximal extremity is also known as the base of the spleen (Figure 9).
Ventral extremity: The position of the ventral extremity is slightly variable in a cow. However, this extremity usually lies opposite the seventh and eighth ribs, about a hand breadth above its junction with the cartilage.
Structure of the cow’s spleen
You will find a thick capsule in the cow spleen containing fibrous and elastic connective tissue and unstripped muscles. From the capsule, the fibromuscular trabeculae extend towards the parenchyma of the spleen.
However, the capsule is externally covered by the serous coat (peritoneum) incompletely. Here, Figure 10 presents the overall structure of the cow’s spleen.
Here, the trabeculae join each other and form irregular spaces and constitute the interstitial tissue. The figure shows the splenic pulp, which is a soft, dark red tissue occupying the space found by the trabecula.
However, the splenic pulp divides into two parts in the spleen –
White pulp: It is the numerous aggregations of the lymphatic nodules in the parenchyma of the spleen.
Red pulp: Surrounding the lymphatic nodules, you will find a diffuse cellular network. This part of the splenic parenchyma is known as the red pulp, which makes up the bulk of the spleen.
However, the lymphatic nodules (white pulp) present a vessel, which is the central artery of the spleen.
FAQ’s on the cow’s spleen
The nerves that innervate the cow’s spleen are derived from the celiac plexus of the sympathetic nervous system. However, the arteries of the spleen are derived from the splenic artery, which is the largest branch of the celiac artery.
Again, the splenic vein lies behind the splenic artery in the hilus/hilum and goes to the portal vein.
Well, there are huge differentiating points between the spleens of the horse and cows. Here, the horse’s spleen is roughly triangular, whereas the cow’s spleen is elongated and flat.
The parietal surface of the horse’s spleen divides into two unequal areas by a ridge along its long axis. Here, Figure 11 shows the main differentiating features of the spleens between horses and cows.
The horse’s spleen presents a broad proximal base and a pointed ventral apex. However, both extremities (base and apex) in the cow are rounded and thin.
Figure 12 presents the variation in the shape of the spleens among goats, sheep, and cows.
Here, the shape of the goat spleen is quadrilateral, and triangular in sheep. Thus, the spleen’s shape is quite variable among the goat, sheep, and cows.
Conclusion
So, the cow spleen is the largest lymphatic organ whose anatomy is described by the features of its surfaces, borders, and extremities. It contains two surfaces (parietal and visceral), two borders (anterior and posterior), and two extremities (dorsal and ventral).
The features of these surfaces, borders, and extremities of the cow’s spleen are unique and easily identifiable practically. However, the hilus of the spleen is another important structure by which you can identify its borders and surfaces easily and perfectly.
References
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- Haligur Ayse et al., A Case of Lobulated Spleen in a Holstein Cow. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg CASE REPORT 16 (1): 131-133, 2010
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