Which of the following is a function of the spleen?

• A. It stores blood cells
• B. It secretes insulin
• C. It stores bile
• D. It filters the blood

Answer: (D)

The spleen’s key role is filtering the blood. As blood passes through its tissue, the spleen screens for old or damaged red blood cells and helps remove pathogens, contributing to immune function and recycling components like iron from red cells. While the spleen does contain a reservoir of blood cells and participates in immune responses, its primary described function in relation to this question is filtering the blood. Insulin secretion is a pancreatic function, and storing bile is a function of the gallbladder/lat liver system, not the spleen.