The gallbladder is positioned just under the liver and is shaped like a pear. It is part of the biliary system and digestive system and is connected to this via bile ducts. It has various functions, but despite this, it is not considered to be a vital organ. If needed, the liver can take over with the distribution of bile in the digestive system to some extent.
Like all organs in the body, it is susceptible to disease and other problems, but most commonly, gallstones are the major cause of gallbladder-related health issues. So, what is the gallbladder, and what functions does it carry out in the body?
The gallbladder can be described as a storage organ because it is used to store bile which is manufactured by the liver. The bile reaches the gallbladder by traveling through bile ducts, and these also allow bile to flow out of the gallbladder and into other parts of the digestive system, such as the small intestine.
The gallbladder is approximately 2.7 to 3.9 inches long, and although it stores bile, its walls are thin. This allows it to contract and squeeze bile into the digestive system when needed.
The gallbladder does not only store bile until it is needed. It also regulates the concentration and composition of it. Bile is a sticky digestive fluid that is yellow and green in appearance. It helps to break down fats into fatty acids so that they can be digested efficiently by the body.
Bile also rids the body of excessive cholesterol and haemoglobin, which is a protein from dead red blood cells.
When a fatty meal is eaten, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile. This fluid does not just break down fats into fatty acids, it also helps the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K, and E in the intestines. All these vitamins are vital to good health but must be converted into an easily absorbable form to be beneficial.
The gallbladder responds to the release of intestinal hormones such as cholecystokinin by emptying and refilling its stores of bile to aid digestion.
Cholecystokinin is produced in the small intestine, and when fats and protein enter it, this hormone helps to trigger the gallbladder to contract and release bile to help break down these substances. It also sends a signal to the pancreas to release digestive enzymes that can work together with the gallbladder’s bile supply to aid the digestive process.
The gallbladder does not only regulate the composition of bile, but it also controls its release. Bile secretion into the biliary tract and duodenum is controlled by the gallbladder. Fat entering the small intestine releases a hormone that the bladder responds to, and then as much bile as is needed is released by the gallbladder.
Sometimes, things can go wrong with the gallbladder. The most common problem is the formation of gallstones. This condition can be very painful, depending on the size and number of stones.
In some cases, the most effective treatment is the complete removal of the gallbladder. Since the gallbladder is not considered to be a vital organ, it can be removed with keyhole surgery. Those without a gallbladder can live a normal healthy life, especially if they avoid high-fat meals.
Although the gallbladder plays a vital part in the digestive process, it can be removed if needed without too much of a negative impact on digestion. Its main purpose is to store and regulate the release of bile which is produced by the liver. Without this storage system, the liver still continues to produce bile to aid the digestion of fats.