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== Spleen ==

The spleen is an organ which both forms and destroys blood cells. In the embryo the spleen is a fully hemopoietic organ generating all the kinds of blood cells. In late fetal life the spleen stops producing erythrocytes and granulocytes, but it continues to generate lymphocytes and monocytes. However, it retains full hemopoietic potentialities so that pathologically, in adulthood, the spleen may once again initiate the functions of red bone marrow. The spleen is highly active in the production of antibodies. Plasma cells are the main source of the antibodies. The spleen also serves as a specialized blood-filtering organ and it can serve for the temporary storage of platelets and erythrocytes.