Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a muscular sac located in a shallow fossa on the inferior surface of the liver. It measures about 10 cm in length and is roughly the size of a kiwi fruit.

It has three regions: the fundus, the central body, and the tapered neck.

The cystic duct extends from the gallbladder and unites with the common hepatic duct, forming the common bile duct.

The primary function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile when it is not immediately needed for digestion.

Thanks to its honeycomb-like mucosal folds, the gallbladder can expand as it fills, increasing its capacity to hold bile.

As the duodenum receives partially digested chyme from the stomach, the gallbladder contracts to expel bile into the cystic duct. The bile then travels via the common bile duct, ultimately reaching the duodenum.

If bile becomes too concentrated, it can form insoluble mineral and salt crystals called gallstones. Small gallstones are usually excreted without issue, but larger ones can damage the gallbladder or block the cystic duct.