Medial Perspective of the Splenic Extremity

Description

Oriented from a medial perspective, the splenic extremity is presented as the tapered pole of the spleen, with the splenic hilum and adjacent visceral surface as the dominant landmarks. Medial to the parenchyma, the peritoneal attachments converge, with the gastrosplenic ligament directed anteromedially toward the greater curvature of the stomach and the splenorenal (lienorenal) ligament coursing posteromedially toward the left kidney. Along the visceral contour, impressions for the fundus of the stomach (gastric impression) and the left colic flexure (colic impression) are inferred by their concavities, while the pancreatic tail approaches the hilum in close proximity. Relationships matter here. Clinically, a medial view of the splenic pole is the working anatomy for splenectomy and spleen-preserving trauma surgery, because the short gastric and left gastro-omental vessels traverse the gastrosplenic ligament at this interface and can be a source of troublesome bleeding if taken close to the gastric wall. The same corridor explains why distal pancreatectomy risks splenic infarction or hemorrhage when the splenic artery and vein are mobilized near the hilum, and why pancreatic tail pathology can tether or invade the splenic hilum. For teaching, this angle makes the difference between the diaphragmatic surface and the visceral surface unambiguous. Use this illustration in abdominal anatomy and GI surgery courses when explaining peritoneal ligaments, splenic hilar vasculature, and the anatomic basis of left upper quadrant pain patterns, or in operative atlases describing hilar dissection, control of short gastric vessels, and management of splenic injury. It also fits radiology teaching files as a conceptual companion to axial CT and coronal MRI that localize a lesion to the splenic hilum versus the gastric or renal impressions. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.