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Gall Bladder

What is the Gall Bladder?

The gall bladder is part of the digestive system. Its main function is the storage of bile produced by the liver.

Where is the Gall Bladder located?
The gall bladder lies jus behind the lower border of the liver. Behind it lies the horizontal arm of the large intestine and part of the duodenum.

How can we describe the Gall Bladder?
The gall bladder is a greenish organ. It is a pear-shaped sac-like structure. It can be divided externally into a fundus, body and neck. The fundus is rounded and projects below the lower border of the liver. The body remains adherent to the liver and the neck ends in the cystic duct, which carries bile from the gall bladder. This duct leaves the gall bladder to join the common hepatic duct from the liver. The joining of the common hepatic duct and the cystic duct forms the common bile duct.

Internal structure of the Gall Bladder
The gall bladder, when seen from inside, shows the mucus membrane thrown into multiple folds. These folds give the inside of the organ a honeycombed appearance. The mucus membrane consists of a layer of cells arranged in the form of columns. This type of layering is called the columnar epithelium. The columnar cells have hair like structures called microvilli at their ends.

Functions of the Gall Bladder

The primary function of the gall bladder is storage of bile produced by the liver. It has a storage capacity of around 50 ml. The gall bladder also has the ability to concentrate the bile present in it. This is possible due to the large surface area of its mucus membrane and the presence of microvilli.

As soon as food from the stomach reaches the duodenum, a hormone called cholecystokinin is released. This stimulates the gall bladder to contract. Bile flows through the common bile duct into the intestines to digest the fat present in the food. Bile salts present in the bile emulsify the fat rendering it suitable for digestion and absorption. Bile pigments present in the bile give our urine and stools their characteristic odor and appearance.