Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionAnatomyConditionsSymptomsTestsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Anatomy
Conditions
Symptoms
Tests
Treatment
Prevention
The function of the gallbladder is to store bile, a fluid that helps with digestion. This muscular organ also concentrates and releases bile into the digestive system. When bile is needed, the gallbladder contracts, forcing the fluid through a tube called the cystic duct.
The gallbladder is located just below the liver on the right side of the body. Bile, which is also known as “gall,” is produced in the liver and passed into the gallbladder for storage. This is where the gallbladder gets its name.
Gallbladder Function
There are several important functions of the gallbladder, which include:
What Is Bile?
Bileis a greenish-brown alkaline fluid (consisting of waste products, cholesterol, and bile salts). Bile is not a digestive enzyme, but, bile salt functions in a similar manner, in that it emulsifies large fat droplets.
Bile’s primary function in the digestive system is to break down fats. Bile is secreted when the gallbladder contracts. This happens in response to:
Once bile enters the duodenum, it goes to work breaking down ingested fat and fat-soluble vitamins, improving the ingested solubility of digested fat, and facilitating its absorption.
Bile is what gives feces (poop) its brown color. The end location for bile is with the feces through the anus.
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped hollow organ. It is 7 to 10 centimeters (2.7 to 3.9 inches) long, up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) across at its widest point, and is tapered at one end where it connects to the cystic duct.It can store approximately 30 to 50 cubic centimeters (cc) of bile, which is equivalent to 1.1 to 1.6 fluid ounces .
Structure
The gallbladder is divided into three sections, including:
The neck of the gallbladder has a folded area of tissues called “Hartmann Pouch.” This is an area—located at the junction of the neck of the gallbladder and the cystic duct—where gallstones commonly become stuck, causing a decrease in bile flow (cholestasis).
There are several layers of the gallbladder, these include:
The surfaces of the gallbladder whicharein contact with the liver are covered with connective tissue instead of serosa.
Location
The gallbladder is located below and behind the liver in the upper right section of the abdomen. It lies in front of the duodenum. The gallbladder is connected to the liver via the ducts known as the biliary tract.
Through this system, bile flows from the liver (where the liver cells make and secrete the bile) into a system of ducts—located inside and outside the liver—which allow the bile:
The common bile duct runs from the liver to the first section of the small intestine (theduodenum) where some of the bile is excreted to help break down fat. Note that 50% of the bile that flows through the common bile duct is stored in the gallbladder.
After food is eaten, the hormone cholecystokinin is secreted; this stimulates the release of bile, and the bile begins breaking down fats in the digestive system.
Anatomical Variations
Examples of anatomical variations of the gallbladder include:
Function of the Biliary System
There are two important functions of the biliary system:
Bile has two primary functions:
Associated Conditions
Common gallbladder conditions can involve infection, stones, inflammation or blockage of the gallbladder.
cholelithiasisGallstones ()are pebble-like deposits of bile in the gallbladder. They can be very small (such as the size of a grain of sand) or as big as a golf ball. They can accumulate as a single gallstone or as a collection of many stones, of various sizes. There are two types of gallstones:
Other conditions include:
Gallstone Risk FactorsRisk factors for developing gallstones include:Having excess weight, especially excess fat around the waistBeing femaleBeing over age 40Losing weight very quicklyHaving a family history of gallstonesBeing Native American or Mexican American
Gallstone Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing gallstones include:Having excess weight, especially excess fat around the waistBeing femaleBeing over age 40Losing weight very quicklyHaving a family history of gallstonesBeing Native American or Mexican American
Risk factors for developing gallstones include:
Symptoms of gallbladder problems aren’t the same for everyone. Some people have no symptoms at all. When gallbladder stones block the flow of bile, they can cause:
Tests performed to diagnose gallbladder conditions may include the following:
Once a diagnosis of gallstones (or other gallbladder disorder) is made, most people with symptoms undergo acholecystectomy(removal of the gallbladder). It is most often performed using laparoscopic surgery—using a scope with a camera, which is inserted into a very small incision.
Laparoscopic surgery is also called minimally invasive surgery, because of the small incision. Today, one of the most common robotic-assisted surgery procedures is a cholecystectomy. One of the most common surgeries performed worldwide is a cholecystectomy as a treatment for gallstones.
Most people live a normal life without a gallbladder, although some people report having persistent loose stools or diarrhea.This may be due to the liver producing bile, but instead of being passed into your gallbladder, it will drip directly into your digestive system.
Summary
Your gallbladder is a small organ located just below the liver on the right side of the body. Its primary function is to store and secrete bile, which helps your body digest fats. Several medical conditions can affect the gallbladder. One of the most common is gallstones, which can block the flow of bile.
Gallbladder problems are often treated with a cholecystectomy. You can live a normal life without your gallbladder, although some people experience looser stools or diarrhea.
11 Sources
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