The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Bile is released from the gallbladder into the small intestine to aid in the digestion and absorption of fats.
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits just beneath the liver. It is approximately 3 to 4 inches long and about 1 inch wide. The gallbladder has a simple structure, consisting of a fundus, body, and neck. It is connected to the common bile duct, which carries bile from the liver to the small intestine.
The gallbladder plays a crucial role in the digestion of fats. When fatty foods enter the small intestine, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released, signaling the gallbladder to contract and release bile into the small intestine. Bile helps to emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets that can be more easily digested by enzymes.
Several disorders can affect the gallbladder, including gallstones, cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), and gallbladder cancer. Gallstones are solid particles that form from bile cholesterol and bilirubin, and can cause significant pain and complications if they block the bile ducts.
When studying the gallbladder, it's important to focus on the following key points: