What's a spleen do?

[Eosin the Red]

It spleens, of course!

 

[Eosin the Red]

Official Nurses note:

The Functions have already been defined.

a highly vascular (bloodfilled) ductless organ <snip> [that] is concerned with final destruction of red blood cells, filtration and storage of blood, and production of lymphocytes (infection fighting white blood cells).

But it really is one of the least understood organs in the body. The main thing to know is that you bleed....alot but not as much as the liver.

A&P basically said - uhhmmmm, it bleeds when ruptured really really bad. If this happens consult a MD

So, we don't really know what it does but man it bleeds alot.

(An internal med doc would be the best person to ask)

 

[Moe Ronalds]

in the middle ages (and later) the spleen was considered to be the source of the humours that caused the emotion of anger.

Wheich is where the phrase 'vent your spleen' comes from... meaning letting out your anger.

I have never heard this phrase used before, but it sure conjurs up some funny mental images...

 

[Olive]

I have never heard this phrase used before, but it sure conjurs up some funny mental images...

maybe it's a Commonwealth thing.

 

[Blueicus]

Never heard this in Canada, at least , guess it's one of those Eastern Hemisphere Commonwealth things .

 

[Coldiron]

I've heard of it. I've heard it used. I'm American.

 

[demiurge1138]

What is the purpose of a spleen? Humor.
In the traditional bile, phlegm, blood and choler sense, of course, but the spleen is the funniest organ in the human body. Its name just rolls off the tongue.

A spleen-eater should only be attempted in a not-terribly-serious campaign. The spleen was a constant taget for crits in my early DM days, and it would always be acompanied with a chorus of "Ah, my spleen!".
One of the players in those golden days was an absolute psycho. For him, it was an organ injured almost as much as his squeedlyspooch.

Demiurge out.

 

[Datt]

You know speaking of funny spleen stories.

When I was in high school there was a guy who played football. He wasn't the brightest guy nor was he the best football player. One day in practice he was hit, as that does happen in football practice. Well after everyone got off of him he was still laying there holding his stomach. When asked what was wrong he said and I quote "I broke my spleen bone!". Needless to say he was from then on the laughing stock of football practice. Even the coaches couldn't help but to make fun of him!

 

[WizarDru]

I've heard of it. I've heard it used. I'm American.

Same here. It's an old expression that I've heard used plenty of times. Of course, I'm in a commonwealth, too. That'd be the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

 

[Voadam]

I'm originally from the commonwealth of Massachusetts and I've heard of venting your spleen.