The function of the gallbladder is to store

What is the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile. It is attached to your digestive system by a system of hollow ducts called the biliary tree.

The gallbladder sits in an indenture underneath the right lobe of the liver. It is about one inch wide and three inches long, and tapered at one end where it connects to the cystic duct. It is a muscular organ that contracts when bile is needed, and forces the enzyme through the cystic duct.

There are three main parts of the gallbladder:

• fundus — the large end that stores bile juices
• body — not as large and begins to taper
• neck — tapers further and connects to the cystic duct

The connection to the cystic duct is known as Hartmann’s Pouch. When gallstones get stuck, it is usually at this juncture.

The gallbladder creates a reservoir for bile, also known as gall, hence the name gallbladder. The bile that is stored here is actually manufactured in the liver. The bladder itself is not very large; however, bile is a strong enzyme.

What does the gallbladder do?

Fat is difficult to digest. It resists being broken down into usable energy. Bile is a strong enzyme that assists in breaking fats down. When the food you eat contains fat, the stomach and duodenum secrete a substance that stimulates the gallbladder to contract, thereby forcing bile into the digestive tract. Bile emulsifies the fat, making it available for energy production.

Why is the gallbladder removed?

The gallbladder stores bile juices and strong enzymes that in some instances can create stones. These stones irritate the lining of the gallbladder, and sometime migrate through the biliary tree. Most of the times this occurs without incident; however, stones can become lodged in the biliary tract. This causes severe pain.

Can I survive without my gallbladder?

Gallbladder removal is a common medical procedure that has little effect on the lifestyle. You may experience some discomfort if you eat a diet high in fat. Remember that the gallbladder stores and secretes enzymes for the purpose of breaking down fat so that it may be used as energy for the body. Your doctor will have more information about any lifestyle changes you may wish to consider.

If you have a gallstone that is blocking your common bile duct (the one that runs from the gallbladder to the small intestine), your doctor may recommend endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This procedure may be used both to diagnose your condition and to treat it immediately.

During ERCP, an endoscope (a long, thin tube) containing a tiny camera is passed down your throat and into your bile ducts. Your doctor may then use additional tubes or tiny tools to remove gallstones from the area.

If your doctor discovers during ERCP that there are gallstones in the gallbladder itself, surgery may be necessary. (3)

If you have gallbladder cancer, in addition to having your gallbladder removed, your doctor may recommend additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. (5)

Doctors are also learning more about how and when to treat gallstones during pregnancy. Recent research has shown that while most pregnant women with gallstones don’t undergo gallbladder surgery during pregnancy, having the operation is associated with an almost 60 percent lower risk of hospital readmission (and gallstones during pregnancy increase the risks of preterm birth and health problems in both mothers and newborn babies). (8)

Gallbladder Surgery

The most common surgical procedure related to the gallbladder is removing it completely. Known as cholecystectomy, gallbladder removal is most often performed to resolve pain caused by gallstones.

There are two methods of gallbladder removal. Laparoscopy, which is almost always the preferred method, involves making several small incisions through which surgical tools and a tiny video camera are inserted.

Open surgery, using a large incision, may be required if your surgeon discovers during a laparoscopic procedure that your gallbladder is infected or has hardened. This happens in 5 to 10 percent of laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. (9) Open surgery may also be the first choice if your gallbladder disease is severe. (4)

Learn More About Gallbladder Surgery

Medication Options

Medications may be used to help reverse gallstones, but usually only when surgery isn’t an option. A drug called ursodiol may be taken to slowly dissolve the cholesterol in gallstones. But this treatment can take months, and gallstones may return once the drug is no longer being taken. (3)

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Dietary changes are often recommended following gallbladder surgery.

When your gallbladder is removed, your body is no longer able to store bile there. As a result, your liver must adapt to releasing bile directly into your small intestine to aid in digestion. Before your body adapts to this new reality, it can be more difficult to digest certain fatty and high-fiber foods.

It’s best to reintroduce those kinds of harder-to-digest foods slowly after your surgery, rather than jump back into your normal diet. It may also be helpful to eat smaller meals more frequently, since this reduces your small intestine’s demand for bile at any given time. (10)

Learn More About Your Diet After Gallbladder Removal

Prevention of Gallbladder Problems

While there’s no proven way to prevent gallstones, there are some steps that may be helpful, including:

• Eating three balanced meals each day
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting regular exercise
• Drinking alcohol in moderation (9,11)

It’s also important to manage any health conditions that may raise your risk of developing gallstones, including diabetes and high cholesterol.

Which function does the gallbladder have?

Where does the gallbladder store?

What are the three functions of gallbladder?