The Spleen: A Vital Organ You Need to Understand Now

7. Storing Materials

Not only does the spleen create lymphocytes and red blood cells, but it also acts as a storage unit for them, as well as platelets, which are responsible for coagulation. The spleen contains more of these materials than are active in the human body. This excess exists in case an emergency infection or illness kills a large number of cells or requires more. The spleen holds up to a cup of red blood cells at any given moment, along with a quarter of the body’s white blood cells, and a third of its platelets.

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