About the Gallbladder

The gallbladder is an organ in the body that aids in the digestion of the foods we eat. Though its function is directly related to helping the liver, it can be removed if necessary. Gallbladder removal is not life threatening, but when it can be left in place, it makes the digestion of food more efficient.

Description

• The gallbladder is a pear shaped organ that is part of the digestive tract and is found only in vertebrae. It connects the liver to the small intestines and aids in digestion. The gallbladder takes waste produced by the liver, which is what bile really is, and stores it there so the body can use it later on to break down foods. While it is an important part of the body, in some cases it can be surgically removed.

Function

• The gallbladder stores bile that the body uses to break down the fats in the foods we eat. The liver secretes bile and it is stored in the gallbladder to help with digestion in the small intestine. The bile travels out of the gallbladder through a cyst duct which is like a valve in your body that lets the bile go to the small intestine. The majority of the digestion in the small intestine takes place in the duodenum, where the bile ends up.

Problems

• Gallstones can form in the gallbladder and cause symptoms of indigestion, and pain if the gallstone is big enough. They form when substances in the bile crystallize while still inside the gallbladder. Other problems with the gallbladder include the passageway from the gallbladder becoming blocked, or the gallbladder itself becoming swollen. Both cause pain and a doctor should be consulted right away. If the problem is too severe to treat, the gallbladder may be removed.

Removal

• The gallbladder is surgically removed by making an incision in the abdomen and taking the gallbladder out. Bile can still pass throughout the body, it simply goes from the liver to the intestines instead of passing through the gallbladder first. However, this makes it harder for the body to break down fats, and patients will need to watch what they eat or take certain supplements to help balance out the process.

History

• The gallbladder was studied in detail by a Roman named Galen around 200 A.D. He realized that the gallbladder and the spleen were important for the liver to work properly in the human body. He confirmed that the gallbladder worked to take bile from the liver for the body. He was also the first to realize the liver was one of the most important organs in the human body. As studies progressed it was even believed at one time that the gallbladder affected a person's emotions. Today we know that it's purpose is to separate bile from the liver and small intestine as Galen confirmed.