Table 2. Functions of the spleen.

IgM: immunoglobulin M

Immunological functions	Hematological functions
Red pulp macrophages decontaminate the blood from pathogens	Removal of unwanted intra-erythrocytic inclusions, i.e., Howell–Jolly bodies and erythrocyte pits
Marginal zone macrophages get rid of the circulating microorganisms and cellular debris	Pooling of platelets along with sequestration of erythrocytes, granulocytes, plasmablasts, and plasma cells
Tingible body macrophages discard B-cell debris in the germinal center of the follicle	Phagocytosis of defective or old erythrocytes in the blood circulation
Dendritic cells, natural killer cells, and monocytes induce T lymphocyte formation	Hematopoiesis during fetal life
Splenic B cells produce antigen-specific antibodies and augment cytotoxic T cell response	Extramedullary hematopoiesis (if required)
IgM memory B cells produce IgM to promote the clearance of polysaccharide-encapsulated bacteria	Storage of iron
Production of immune mediators such as complement, opsonins, properdin, and tufts, which instigate phagocytosis