Anatomic.us > Digestive System

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is part of the biliary system. The gallbladder is located in the abdomen, on the right side under the liver. The gallbladder stores bile (also called gall) produced in the liver and then it transports it to the duodenum when triggered by a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK). It has ducts which connect to the liver, pancreas, and duodenum (uppermost part of the small intestine inferior to the pyloric sphincter) which is directly under the stomach. It is shaped like an eggplant, but considerably smaller than a fully grown one. It is 3.1 inches (8 cm) in length and 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter when fully expanded.

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Gallbladder

It is divided into three sections:

  • Fundus

  • Body

  • Neck

The neck tapers and connects to the biliary tree through the cystic duct. Above the cystic duct the biliary tree branches into the left and right hepatic duct  which leads to the liver and below the cystic duct, the biliary tree has a branch called the pancreatic duct. The cystic duct joins the common hepatic duct to become the common bile duct. There is a mucosal fold located at the neck of the gallbladder called the Hartmann’s pouch where gallstones often get stuck.

The body of the gallbladder is attached to the liver. The fundus is at the same level as the transpyloric plane. Bile aids in the digestion of food in the digestive tract. After bile is produced in the liver it flows through bile ducts into the gallbladder.

A hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) is released from the small intestines to trigger the release of bile in response to it. The way the bile helps to aid in digestion is by breaking down large fat molecules into smaller ones more easily absorbed into the liver. After the fat is absorbed, the bile is also absorbed and transported back to the liver for reuse. As food containing fat (amino acids) enters the stomach and the digestive tract it stimulates the release of the hormone CCK from the small intestines.

The gallbladder contracts in response and releases bile into the duodenum. During storage of the bile in the gallbladder it becomes more concentrated and potent which intensifies its effect on fats.

The gallbladder is also a muscular membranous sac that is lined on its’ inner surface with mucous-membrane tissue resembling that of the small intestines. The cells of the mucous membrane have hundreds of microvilli (microscopic projections). These structures allow the absorption of water and inorganic salts from the bile which is how the bile can become more potent and concentrated as it is stored in the gallbladder. The microvilli increase the area of fluid absorption in the gallbladder.

When the semi-fluid nature of the stored bile has too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or bile salts mixed with it the bile can crystallize causing the gallstones to form. They often are not noticed until they grow in size or unless they block the neck of the gallbladder preventing the free flow of bile to allow the normal function it has of aiding in the digestion of food.


It is divided into three sections:

  • Fundus

  • Body

  • Neck

The neck tapers and connects to the biliary tree through the cystic duct. Above the cystic duct the biliary tree branches into the left and right hepatic duct  which leads to the liver and below the cystic duct, the biliary tree has a branch called the pancreatic duct. The cystic duct joins the common hepatic duct to become the common bile duct. There is a mucosal fold located at the neck of the gallbladder called the Hartmann’s pouch where gallstones often get stuck.

The body of the gallbladder is attached to the liver. The fundus is at the same level as the transpyloric plane. Bile aids in the digestion of food in the digestive tract. After bile is produced in the liver it flows through bile ducts into the gallbladder.

A hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) is released from the small intestines to trigger the release of bile in response to it. The way the bile helps to aid in digestion is by breaking down large fat molecules into smaller ones more easily absorbed into the liver. After the fat is absorbed, the bile is also absorbed and transported back to the liver for reuse. As food containing fat (amino acids) enters the stomach and the digestive tract it stimulates the release of the hormone CCK from the small intestines.

The gallbladder contracts in response and releases bile into the duodenum. During storage of the bile in the gallbladder it becomes more concentrated and potent which intensifies its effect on fats.

The gallbladder is also a muscular membranous sac that is lined on its’ inner surface with mucous-membrane tissue resembling that of the small intestines. The cells of the mucous membrane have hundreds of microvilli (microscopic projections). These structures allow the absorption of water and inorganic salts from the bile which is how the bile can become more potent and concentrated as it is stored in the gallbladder. The microvilli increase the area of fluid absorption in the gallbladder.

When the semi-fluid nature of the stored bile has too much cholesterol, bilirubin, or bile salts mixed with it the bile can crystallize causing the gallstones to form. They often are not noticed until they grow in size or unless they block the neck of the gallbladder preventing the free flow of bile to allow the normal function it has of aiding in the digestion of food.

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