GALL BLADDERGALL BLADDERGALL BLADDERGALL BLADDER

By: Debbie, Frederika, Jade, By: Debbie, Frederika, Jade, Brandon, Jun WeiBrandon, Jun Wei

Location

Close-Up

Structure• The left and right hepatic ducts descend

from the undersurface of the liver and unite to form the handle of the sling-shot called the common hepatic duct. This structure is then joined by the cystic duct. Thus, the union of the cystic duct with the hepatic ducts forms the common bile duct, for transport of bile.

• Mucosa, a membrane which can expand for the gall bladder to contain more bile.

Function

1. The gallbladder stores bile secreted by the liver.

concentration increases 4-12 times

potency increased

effect on fat intensified.

2. Releases bile when food containing fat enters the digestive tract, stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK).

• The bile emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested food.

• The ingestion of food and especially fats cause the release of a hormone, cholecystokinin, (CCK) which in turn signals the relaxation of the valve at the end of the common bile duct which lets the bile enter the small intestine. It also signals the contraction of the gallbladder which squirts the concentrated liquid bile into the small intestine where it helps with the emulsification or breakdown of fats in the meal.

Gallstones• The real disease in gallstones is not the stones,

which are byproducts, but inflammation of the bile passages

• Gallstones form in the gallbladder and gall ducts as a result of the precipitation of the solid matters of the bile.

• Gallstones can get stuck in the opening where the gallbladder narrows to become the cystic duct. As the gallbladder contracts to push out more bile, the stone blocking the duct can cause tremendous pain.

• Pain in the upper right abdomen is severe and constant and can last for days. Pain frequently increases when drawing a breath.

• Pain also may radiate to the back or occur under the shoulder blades, behind the breast bone, or on the left side.

• About a third of patients have fever and chills.

• Nausea and vomiting may occur.

• We can still survive without the gal bladder. The gallbladder does facilitate and regulate the flow of bile in your body. When that facilitator is taken away it is quite possible that the flow will be not as efficient, ie. too much at one time, or more commonly, not enough. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile is delivered directly from the liver ducts to the upper part of the intestine.

• http://www.womentowomen.com/digestionandgihealth/gallbladderhealth.aspx

• http://www.ece.ncsu.edu/imaging/MedImg/SIMS/GE1_3.html

• http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_gallstones_gallbladder_disease_000010_2.htm