Final answer:
To measure the spleen longitudinally, medical professionals use imaging like ultrasound or CT scans. The spleen, being approximately 12 cm long, filters blood and facilitates immune responses to pathogens. Its enlargement can indicate various clinical conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a longitudinal view, to measure the spleen, one would typically take imaging studies like an ultrasound or a computed tomography (CT) scan, which allows the visual assessment of the spleen's length. The spleen is a secondary lymphoid organ, about 12 cm (5 in) in length and is located near the stomach, attached via the gastrosplenic ligament. Considering it is highly vascularized and contains both red and white pulp, the spleen serves as a crucial organ in filtering blood, removing microbes and dying red blood cells, and playing a significant role in immune responses to blood-borne pathogens.
The spleen's size is of clinical importance because enlargement can indicate infection, liver disease, or other hematological conditions. It's divided into the red pulp, responsible for filtering blood and destroying old red blood cells, and white pulp, which is essential for immune function and resembles lymphoid follicles similar to those in lymph nodes.