Extravascular hemolysis occurs primarily in which organ?

Extravascular hemolysis occurs primarily in which organ?

• A. Liver
• B. Bone marrow
• C. Spleen
• D. Kidneys

Answer: (C)

Extravascular hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells by macrophages outside the blood vessels, mainly in the spleen. The spleen’s red pulp filters circulating RBCs and traps aging or less deformable cells; splenic macrophages then phagocytose these RBCs and recycle their components, including iron and heme. Although the liver (via Kupffer cells) can contribute, the spleen is the primary site of this type of hemolysis. In contrast, intravascular hemolysis occurs within the vessels and is more associated with hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria, not the splenic filtering process. Therefore, the spleen is the best answer.

Extravascular hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells by macrophages outside the blood vessels, mainly in the spleen. The spleen’s red pulp filters circulating RBCs and traps aging or less deformable cells; splenic macrophages then phagocytose these RBCs and recycle their components, including iron and heme. Although the liver (via Kupffer cells) can contribute, the spleen is the primary site of this type of hemolysis. In contrast, intravascular hemolysis occurs within the vessels and is more associated with hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria, not the splenic filtering process. Therefore, the spleen is the best answer.