The Roadmap of the Spleen: A Meta-Analysis of Morphometric and Vascular Anatomy

This systematic review aims to consolidate anatomical data on the spleen and its vasculature to aid in surgical planning and improve the understanding of splenic variability. The main research goal is to summarize reported ranges and pooled estimates for splenic dimensions and to map the common patterns and variations in the splenic vasculature.

A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, including 64 studies. The key parameters examined were the splenic length, width, thickness, and volume, and the branching patterns and origins of the splenic artery.

The analysis yielded approximate pooled mean estimates of splenic length of 10.47 cm, width of 6.92 cm, thickness of 3.55 cm, and volume of 219 cm³. In most cases, the splenic artery originates from the celiac trunk at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra and follows a suprapancreatic course before branching into two or more vessels, each supplying distinct regions of the spleen.

The spleen and its vascular network show considerable anatomical variability, with implications for surgical interventions. Accurate knowledge of these variations is essential for optimizing surgical outcomes and preserving splenic function.