what is the role of the gallbladder?

Answer 1

It produces bile, and stores it, until it is required for digestion.

Answer 2

A special system was created for the digestion and the absorption of the gall bladder through the intestinal wall. Since it contains substances that allow fats to be emulsified because the bile is an essential factor for these.

The breakdown of fats stimulates the secretion of an enzyme. After being secreted by the liver the bile is stored in the gallbladder until needed. The gallbladder is stimulated when a fat is eaten and bile flows down the cystic duct, into the common bile duct and through the ampulla of Vater into the intestine.

The gallbladder also concentrates the bile within it by removing water through its wall. If the gallbladder is removed the bile still flows into the intestine from the liver when fat digestion may be less efficient because the bile is not concentrated. The must common disorder of the biliary tract is gallstones.

It is thought that the gall bladder produce an excessive amount of water from the bile so that some of its constituents can no longer remain in solution. Gallstones are frequently associated with eating a diet that is high fat and refined carbohydrates and low in fiber. Gallstones taken for some other reason can be discovered by an x-ray practice in order to leave them alone if they are causing no symptoms, since the risk of developing problems is slightly less than the risk from a major operation.

If a patient with asymtomatic gallstones is having an abdominal operation for another reason, the gallbladder may be removed at the same time. The problems that gallstones can give rise are the following: cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis and cholangitis, pancreatitis and gallstones ileus. Patients with symptoms from gallstones will suffer from chronic cholecystitis. A stones becoming stuck in the junction of the gallbladder and the bile duct may cause severe attacks.

The muscle situated in the wall of both gallbladder and duct contracts in a effort to move the stone and this produces intense pain felt under the ribs on the right-hand side of the abdomen. The pain may be felt under the V on the ribs or may extend right across the abdomen and spread around to the back below the right shoulder blade. The patient vomit and is usually restless. The stone falls into the gallbladder or by some muscle contractions is past down the bile duct and into the intestine. This process may last several hours.

The main symptom is a constant dull ache in the upper abdomen, discomfort and flatulence after eating a fatty meal. The most frequently affected are women between the ages of 20 and 40. It is caused by a stone becoming jammed either in the junction of the gallbladder and duct or in the duct itself. This appear at many patients who suffered from binary colic indigestion or flatulence. The inflammation of acute cholecystitis is caused at first by the chemicals in the bile. It was proven that a bacterial infection supervenes in 50 percent or more of cases.

The pain is severe and constant and comes suddenly. It appears in the right and central parts of the upper abdomen and under the right shoulder blade. In this case the patient usually vomits and it is ill and feverish. If the bile duct becomes swollen, slight jaundice appear as bile from the liver which is prevented from passing into the intestine and enters the blood stream instead. When dealing with gallstones the gastrointestinal surgeons are experts choosing the correct treatment for an individual patient.

The most commonly performed operation is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy-designed to remove to the gallbladder as easily and safely as possible and with the smallest possible incisions. An usual cholecystectomy involves major abdominal surgery. In cases when the patients are not fit for surgery it may be possible to dissolve the stones by giving them chenodeoxycholic acid or ursodeoxycholic acid. This kind of preparation are taken by mouth and are excreted in the bile. If the gallstones are very small and contain very little calcium which make them invisible on a plain x-ray of the abdomen they will not work without the gallbladder.

The treatment is not good for women of childbearing age or for those with any form with liver disease. Although 80 percent of stones may be dissolved after six month's or a year's treatment they frequently re-appear after the medication have stopped. When external shock waves are used to bombard and shatter the stones, the process is called lithotripsy. An approach involves injecting into the gall bladder a strong solution that dissolves the cholesterol from which the stones are made. Gallstone disease needs an extensive experience to manage properly.

In many cases diseases due to the appearance of the gall bladder the cure is possible

Answer 3

If you can diet and reverse the strain on your gallbladder, you may not have to have surgery. I would do all I could before letting a doctor rip something out of me. But, if you refuse to lay off the grease and indulge in foods rich in fat, there is little you can do. Many people live fine without a gallbladder. It's used to help digest your food.

Answer 4

Needed for digestion!
The function of the gallbladder is to store bile and concentrate. Bile is a digestive liquid continually secreted by the liver. The bile emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested food.

Answer 5

The gallbladder stores about 50 ml of bile (1.7 US fluid ounces / 1.8 Imperial fluid ounces), which is released when food containing fat enters the digestive tract, stimulating the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK). The bile, produced in the liver, emulsifies fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested food.

After being stored in the gallbladder, the bile becomes more concentrated than when it left the liver, increasing its potency and intensifying its effect on fats. Most digestion occurs in the duodenum.

Answer 6

It stores the bile produced by the liver.
When fat is present in the stomach, it opens a valve and releases bile to the stomach in order to digest the fat.

Answer 7

it holds the bile ready for digestion, bile levels the pH of the stomach to the right amount so it is acidic enough to help 'mash up' the food but doesnt burn a hole thru ur stomach.

Answer 8

it stores bile which helps you break down fats. People without one need to really watch their diet.

Answer 9

I actually am not sure, but they removed mine last year and when it was time to go, it hurt like nobody's business. Whatever it's purpose is, I'm still trying to figure out. --- Sorry.

Answer 10

Does he play in goal for Liverpool fc?