Gallbladder: Definition, Function, Diagram, Examples

What Is the Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is located under the liver and is connected to it through the bile ducts. The main function of this organ is to store bile produced from the liver and then discharge it into the small intestine while food is being digested.

Location and Position of the Gallbladder

The location and position of gall bladder is listed below:

• Lies on the undersurface of the liver.

• Connect through the hepatic and cystic ducts.

• Directly drains into the common bile duct.

• Opens into the small intestine (duodenum)

Structure of the Gallbladder

The general structure of the gallbladder is:

• Small, hollow viscus

• Can hold about 30-50 millilitres of bile.

• It has three parts: fundus, body, and neck.

Histology of the Gallbladder Wall

The wall of the gallbladder consists of three layers, namely:

• Mucosa

• Muscular

• Serosa.

Within the three layers lies the mucosal epithelial cell that absorbs water and electrolytes, thus concentrating the bile.

Functions of the Gallbladder

The functions of gall bladder is listed below-

Storage and Concentration of Bile

Bile prepared by the liver is stored and concentrated in the gall bladder. It contracts and releases into the small intestine as soon as food enters the small intestine.

Secretion of Bile

Bile secreted from the gall bladder is transported through the cystic duct and into the common bile duct. It reaches the small intestine where finally digestion and absorption of the fats are completed.

Role of Bile in Digestion

The role of bile in the process of digestion.

Composition of Bile .

Bile is composed of bile salts, cholesterol, the breakdown pigment bilirubin, and electrolytes, which act in synergy and make fats emulsify.

Role in Fat Digestion

Emulsification of fat molecules by bile salts into minute droplets increases the surface area for the action of digestive enzymes and therefore helps in efficient digestion and absorption of dietary fats.

Common Gallbladder Conditions

The common gall bladder conditions are listed below:

Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)

• Hard deposits formed in the gallbladder out of bile components.

• Either be made of cholesterol or bilirubin.

• Symptoms: Pain, nausea, and jaundice.

Cholecystitis

• Inflammation of the gallbladder.

• Mostly due to a gallstone obstructing the cystic duct.

• It is reflected in a sudden acute or chronic condition of inflammation accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting.

Other Conditions

• Other complications about the gallbladder include polyps, and growths on the wall of the gallbladder.

• Relatively severe, though uncommon, are gallbladder cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The diagnosis and treatment is listed below-

Diagnosis

• The common diagnostic tools are ultrasound, CT scan, and HIDA scan.

• These are used to visualize the gallbladder and help to point out abnormalities.

Treatment

• Treatments depend on the nature of the condition.

• Gallstones can either be chemically dissolved or surgically removed (cholecystectomy).

• The surgical technique applied in this procedure is laparoscopic, that is, it is a minimal invasion technique used.

Prevention of Gallbladder Disorders

The prevention methods are listed below-

Diet and Lifestyle

The low-cholesterol, high-fibre diet, coupled with regular exercise and a healthy body mass index, helps in keeping problems concerning the gallbladder at bay.

Regular Check-ups

Any problem with the gallbladder can be detected early if one goes for regular check-ups. As such, treatment and management are assured at the right time.

Gallbladder NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important questions asked in NEET from this topic are:

• Structure and histology of gallbladder

• Functions of bile in digestion

• Disorders related to gallbladder

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Assertion: Gallstones can lead to inflammation of the gallbladder.

Reason: Gallstones can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder.

1. Assertion and reason are both true, and reason is an accurate account of assertion.

2. Both assertion and reason are accurate, but reason does not adequately explain assertion.

3. The assertion is correct, but the reasoning is incorrect.

4. Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.

Correct answer: 1) Assertion and reason are both true, and reason is an accurate account of assertion.

Explanation:

Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder, and they can block the flow of bile from the gallbladder. When the bile cannot flow out of the gallbladder, it can build up and cause inflammation, which can lead to pain, fever, and nausea. If left untreated, gallstones can also lead to serious complications, such as infection or the development of gallbladder cancer. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Assertion and reason are both true, and reason is an accurate account of assertion.

Q2. Ductus choledochus is formed when

1. Cystic duct of the gallbladder combines with the common hepatic duct of the liver

2. Rivinus duct of the gallbladder combines with the hepatic duct of the liver

3. The hepatic duct of the gallbladder combines with the cystic duct of the liver

4. The right hepatic duct of the liver combines with the left hepatic duct of the liver

Correct answer: 1) cystic duct of the gallbladder combines with the common hepatic duct of the liver

Explanation:

The ductus choledochus also referred to as the common bile duct, is formed by the merging of the cystic duct from the gallbladder and the common hepatic duct from the liver. This duct plays an important role in the digestive system as it carries the bile from the liver and the gallbladder to the duodenum for emulsification and further digestion of fats.

Hence, the correct answer is the option 1) Cystic duct of the gallbladder combines with the common hepatic duct of the liver.

Q3. Assertion: Gallbladder has a cystic duct.

Reason: The common bile duct arises from the cystic duct of the gall bladder.

1. Assertion and reason are both true, and reason is an accurate account of assertion.

2. Both assertion and reason are accurate, but reason does not adequately explain assertion.

3. The assertion is correct, but the reasoning is incorrect.

4. Both the assertion and reason are incorrect.

Correct answer: 3) The assertion is correct, but the reasoning is incorrect.

Explanation:

The assertion and reason are both true, but the reasoning is incorrect. The correct reasoning would be that the cystic duct arises from the gallbladder and merges with the common hepatic duct to form the common bile duct.

Hence, the correct answer is 3) The assertion is correct, but the reasoning is incorrect.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Gallbladder

• Pancreas Function in Human Body

• Absorption of Food

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