The Gallbladder - What is it?

The gallbladder is a small internal pear-shaped organ that sits just beneath the liver. The primary function is for bile storage, to help digest fatty foods. Bile produced by the liver is collected and stored in the gall bladder pouch. Later, the bile is squeezed and transported through the cystic duct, to the bile duct to the small intestive, to aid in digestion. Gall bladder removal is a common surgical procedure and the human body can generally adapt quite well to the loss of this storage organ.

What is the Gallbladder:

The gall bladder is usually approximately four inches in size and is composed of three main areas:

1. body
2. neck
3. fundus

It is located in the upper right part of the abdomen, (right below the ribs), and is just below the liver. The gallbladder is part of the body's biliary system, whose main function is to store the bile, rather than produce any bile.

After you eat a meal, especially a fatty meal, the gallbladder releases bile and sends it on its way toward the small intestine where the digestion can occur. The bile is transported through the cystic duct, to the bile duct, then on to the small intestine.

What are Some Common Problems with the Gallbladder:

There are a few different things that can cause you to have issues or pain in your gall bladder. Some issues can be severe enough to require the surgical removal of the gallbladder itself. Thankfully, the human body can generally adapt very well to the loss of this bile storage organ. A few conditions that can arise include:

• gallstones
• gallbladder polyps
• cholecystitis
• gallbladder disease
• gallbladder cancer

If you are having any pain or issues, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider.

Resources:
• www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/what-is-the-gallbladder.aspx     
• www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/picture-of-the-gallbladder