Is bile manufactured by hepatic cells?

Bile is produced by hepatic cells, known as hepatocytes, in the liver. The process of bile production, called choleresis, involves the secretion of bile components into the bile canaliculi, which are microscopic channels between liver cells. The primary components of bile include bile salts, phospholipids, cholesterol, bilirubin (a breakdown product of heme), and other waste products.

Bile salts, synthesized from cholesterol in the liver, act as emulsifiers that help break down fats into smaller droplets, facilitating their digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Phospholipids stabilize bile salts and help maintain the fluidity of bile. Cholesterol is a component of bile that can contribute to the formation of gallstones if present in excessive amounts. Bilirubin, derived from the breakdown of old or damaged red blood cells, is excreted into the bile and gives bile its characteristic yellow-green color.

Once bile is produced by hepatocytes, it flows through the bile canaliculi and into the bile ducts. The bile ducts merge to form larger ducts, eventually leading to the gallbladder, where bile is stored and concentrated. When needed, the gallbladder contracts and releases concentrated bile into the small intestine through the common bile duct.