Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Services at Maryland General

A complete list of inpatient and outpatient healthcare services at MGH.

Splenomegaly - Overview

Alternative Names

Spleen enlargement; Enlarged spleen

Definition of Splenomegaly:

Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen beyond its normal size.

Considerations:

The spleen is an organ that is a part of the lymph system. It filters the blood and maintains healthy red and white blood cells and platelets.

Because of its wide variety of functions, the spleen may be affected by many conditions involving the blood or lymph system, and by infection, malignancies, liver disease, and parasites.

Symptoms of splenomegaly include:

  • Inability to eat a large meal
  • Pain on the upper left side of the abdomen
  • Hiccups

Common Causes:

  • Reviewed last on: 9/29/2006
  • Corey Cutler, MD, MPH, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard University; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
     
Physician Directory

Physician Specialties

Medical Glossary

Guide for Patients

Guide for Visitors

    
About Us     ·     Contact Us     ·     Phone Listing     ·     Residency Programs     ·     Site Map     ·     Site Search     ·     Links     ·     FAQs

© 2008 Maryland General Hospital, All Rights Reserved   ·   827 Linden Avenue,   Baltimore, MD 21201   ·   410-225-8000
Commitment to Compliance   ·   Privacy Policy   ·   Terms and Conditions of Use   ·   Disclaimer   ·   JCAHO Public Notice