Final answer:
The texture of the spleen can be described as soft and spongy, reflecting its composition of red pulp for filtering blood and white pulp for immune responses. It is a secondary lymphoid organ with significant roles in blood filtration and immunity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spleen should appear as an organ with a soft, spongy texture. It is a secondary lymphoid organ that plays a crucial role in filtering blood and housing immune responses to blood-borne pathogens. The spleen contains two types of tissue: the red pulp and the white pulp. The red pulp primarily functions in filtering the blood by removing degenerating or damaged blood cells. In contrast, the white pulp is rich in lymphocytes and is responsible for removing antigen-coated bacteria from the blood, effectively acting as the immune response center.
The organ is highly vascularized and dark red due to its blood content and has a fragile structure without a strong capsule. Microscopically, the spleen's red pulp consists of reticular fibers, macrophages, and various blood cells, while the white pulp surrounds a central arteriole and contains germinal centers made up of B cells, T cells, and accessory immune cells such as macrophages and dendritic cells.