Gallbladder

The gallbladder (or cholecyst) is a pear-shaped hollow organ that is located right under the liver. It is connected to the liver by the biliary tract.

Table of contents

1 Anatomy 2 Microscopic anatomy 3 Function 4 Role in disease 4.1 Cholecystitis 4.2 Choledocholithiasis 5 External links

Anatomy

\nNot all mammals have gallbladders. The rat, for example, does not have a specialised organ for the storage of bile. The gallbladder is connected to the main bile duct through the gallbladder duct (cystic duct or, in Latin, ductus cysticus). The main biliary tract runs from the liver to the duodenum, and the cystic duct is effectively a "cul de sac", serving as entrance and exit to the gallbladder. The surface marking of the gallbladder is the intersection of the mid-clavicular line (MCL) and the transpyloric plane, or the tip of the ninth rib. Vascularisation is by the cystic artery and vein, which run parallel to the cystic duct.

Microscopic anatomy

\nThe gallbladder has an epithelial lining characterised by recesses (called Aschoff's recesses), which are pouches inside the lining. Under the epithelium there is a layer of connective tissue, followed by a muscular wall that contracts in response to cholecystokinin.

Function

\nThe gallbladder stores bile, which is released when fat-containing food enters the digestive tract, stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK).

Role in disease

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Cholelithiasis

\nUp to 25% of all people have gallstones, composed of cholesterol, lecitin and bile acids. These can cause colicky shooting abdominal pain, usually in relation with the meal, as the gallbladder contracts and gallstones pass through the bile duct. Surgery (cholecystectomy) is the most common treatment for gallstones. It can be performed laparoscopically, and it is in fact one of the most common procedures done through the laparoscope. People at an increased risk of cholelithiasis are people who are 5 F's:\n* Female\n* Fat (obesity)\n* Fair (Caucasian)\n* Forty (middle-aged)\n* Fertile (the risk is increased in pregnancy)

Cholecystitis

\n:''Please refer to main article: Cholecystitis Acute or chronic inflammation of the gall bladder causes abdominal pain. 90% of acute cholecystitis are caused by the presence of gallstones.

Choledocholithiasis

\nWhen gallstones obstruct the common bile duct, the patient develops jaundice and liver cell damage. It is a medical emergency, requiring endoscopic or surgical treatment.

External links

\n* Illustration\n* Acute cholecystitis Category:Digestive system