BACKGROUND: To determine segments' location, number and dimension as well as its relation to the spleen surface anatomy. METHODS: Nineteen spleens were used, all provided by the Morphology Department of Federal University of Ceará. The spleen's average weight was 148.2±52 g and their average dimensions were 11.2x7.1x4.0 cm. Synthetic resin (resapol T208) was injected into the superior and inferior spleen artery branches fulfilling the segments. After parenchyma corrosion, each segment was identified by a different color and analyzed by planimetry. RESULTS: The spleens presented 2.4±0.61 segments average (2-4), and its molds represent 70 percent of the diaphragmatic surface. Evidence of correlation between notch and the corresponding segment was found in 17 of the 19 samples 89.4%±7.1% (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The splenic arterial segmentation may have a strict relation between its surface anatomies. It should be utilized as a parameter in partial splenectomy and other arterial segmentation studies.
Splenic artery; Spleen; Splenectomy
