Medical experts and former patients say that healthy digestion is possible even without a gallbladder. Whether the gallbladder is really quite as superfluous as it seems, we will try to benatworten in the following article.
What is the gallbladder?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of the gallbladder with gallstones. Click to enlarge. Following the name gallbladder, this anatomical structure represents a compact bubble. The gallbladder is hollow inside and is filled with a special endogenous substance starting from the liver. The gallbladder is directly connected to the liver through a complicated “pathway system”. This condition is important so that it can fulfill its own function and also fulfill its task in the entire digestive system. The specialized name of the gallbladder in medicine and anatomy is vesica fellea biliaris. The synonym biliaris in gallbladder refers to bile. In contrast to this complicated Latin name, the gallbladder is often colloquially referred to as bile, but this is not entirely correct. Not only humans, but also some species of animals have a gallbladder depending on their diet.
Anatomy and structure
The gallbladder measures just shy of 10 cm and is about 4 cm thick. The shape of the gallbladder is somewhat elongated. The entry and exit of bile from the liver into the gallbladder and out of the gallbladder into the duodenum are called bile ducts. Because of the yellowish-green color of the viscous bile, the gallbladder also appears this color. After a section is made through the gallbladder, the wall is revealed to be a complex of different layers of tissue and cells. In the gallbladder, these include the mucosa, a layer of connective tissue, and a layer of smooth muscle that can contract. The outer covering of the gallbladder is the tunica serosa, which is adjacent to the liver. The gallbladder also contains innervated nerve fibers and blood-carrying vessels.
Functions and Tasks
The function of the gallbladder is based on a complicated physiology, which is particularly exerted by bile. The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile, which is formed in the liver and additionally thickened in the gallbladder. The bile is selectively released by the gallbladder when there are fats in the food that need to be broken down into their digestible components. Due to its ability to contract, the gallbladder is able to release the bile juice into the duodenum in doses. There is room for about 50 to 60 ml of bile in the gallbladder. During the periods when no food is ingested, the storage and withdrawal of water from the bile takes place. During the intake of food, the gallbladder is filled again and can work. Since the gallbladder is only a so-called storage organ, it can also be removed without causing complications with digestive activity. The bile secretion can also be discharged into the duodenum starting from the liver in an unthickened state.
Diseases
The gallbladder performs its work imperceptibly. The gallbladder is only noticeable when an ultrasound is performed or when solid gallstones have formed. These migrate into the bile ducts as the gallbladder contracts, causing painful colic. Gallstones are thus a fairly common disease of the gallbladder. As a result of gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder may manifest, also known as cholecystitis. If there is a formation of pus accumulation in the gallbladder, emphysema of the gallbladder develops. Jaundice may result from these diseases of the gallbladder. It arises because the bile cannot flow out due to the gallstones, which cause obstruction of the bile draining ducts. Bile backs up into the blood and the patient gets yellowish skin. Other gallbladder diseases include a rupture or rupture of the gallbladder, a so-called stasis gallbladder with jaundice, and a shrinking gallbladder with loss of function. In addition, a gallbladder can develop carcinoma, a malignant growth. Rather rare are parasitic diseases of the gallbladder caused by liver fluke.
Typical and common diseases
- Gallstones
- Gallbladder inflammation
- Gallbladder cancer and bile duct cancer
- Biliary colic
- Cholestasis
