The Spleen

body · organs · immune system · blood

Blood filter master. Your spleen works like a security checkpoint for your blood, catching old red blood cells, bacteria, and other unwanted stuff. It filters out about 2 pounds of blood every single minute, 24 hours a day.

Infection fighter. The spleen is packed with special immune cells that spot germs and fight them off before they can make you sick. It's like having a tiny army ready to defend your body at all times.

Recycling center. Your spleen breaks down worn-out red blood cells and recycles the iron inside them so your body can make new blood cells. Nothing goes to waste in this amazing organ.

You can live without it. If your spleen gets damaged or diseased, doctors can remove it and you'll still be okay, though you might get sick more easily. Your body can adapt and find other ways to handle the work it used to do.

Found everywhere. Almost every animal with a backbone has a spleen, from fish and birds to dogs and whales. It's been around in nature for hundreds of millions of years.