Udroiu I. 2009. The blood-storing ability of the spleen // Russian J. Theriol. Vol.7 (for 2008). No.2: 107–110 [in English].

Ion Udroiu, [ion.udroiu@uniroma1.it], Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e dell’Uomo, Universitа “La Sapienza”, 00161 Roma, Italy.

KEY WORDS: spleen, storage, morphology, evolution.

ABSTRACT. In some mammalian species, pronounced muscularization together with increased spleen dimension allows this organ to store blood, releasing it in case of need. This is possible because of the large volume occupied by the cords of the red pulp and the richness in muscle cells of the capsule and trabeculae. Ungulates (excluding Cetaceans and Sirenians), Carnivores and Edentates show this splenic type. In other mammals, this organ do not store blood either because their different ecology or because this task is performed elsewhere in the body.

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