[Present knowledge of human spleen function]

The human spleen is an important lymphoid organ participating in immune reactions against all types of circulating antigens. It also removes particles of nonantigenic nature from blood circulation. The structure of the spleen, containing specialized cells types, provides a microenvironment where various intercellular interactions occur and determines the course of development of immune and nonimmune reactions. Though the spleen significantly participates in host defense reactions it is not inevitable for life. However, removing of the spleen increases the risk of overwhelming infections by bacteria with polysaccharide capsules.