The spleen develops from which type of tissue?

The spleen develops from which type of tissue?

• A. Endodermal lining
• B. Mass of mesenchymal cells
• C. Neural crest cells
• D. Splanchnic mesoderm

Answer: (B)

The spleen arises from mesenchymal tissue in the dorsal mesogastrium—the loose connective tissue that comes from mesoderm. These mesenchymal cells condense and differentiate to form the splenic stroma and capsule, providing the framework of the organ. Endodermal lining forms the gut epithelium, not the spleen; neural crest cells contribute to other structures but not splenic tissue; while splanchnic (visceral) mesoderm is the broader germ-layer source, the specific tissue type that makes the spleen is a mass of mesenchymal cells.

The spleen arises from mesenchymal tissue in the dorsal mesogastrium—the loose connective tissue that comes from mesoderm. These mesenchymal cells condense and differentiate to form the splenic stroma and capsule, providing the framework of the organ. Endodermal lining forms the gut epithelium, not the spleen; neural crest cells contribute to other structures but not splenic tissue; while splanchnic (visceral) mesoderm is the broader germ-layer source, the specific tissue type that makes the spleen is a mass of mesenchymal cells.