Red blood cells (RBCs) are primarily killed in the spleen and liver.
The Role of the Spleen and Liver in RBC Breakdown
As RBCs circulate through the body, they become worn out and damaged. The body eliminates these aged or damaged cells through specialized immune cells called macrophages, mainly located in the spleen and liver.
| Organ | Role in RBC Breakdown |
|---|---|
| Spleen | Filters the blood and removes old, damaged, or abnormal RBCs. Macrophages in the spleen engulf and digest these cells. |
| Liver | Contains macrophages (Kupffer cells) that also participate in removing aged or damaged RBCs from circulation. |
Macrophages recognize when an RBC is spent and initiate phagocytosis, a process where they engulf and digest the cell. This process breaks down the RBC into its components, which are then recycled or eliminated by the body.
