The gallbladder is a small organ that plays a supporting role in the digestive system. It stores and concentrates bile, a fluid essential for processing fats from food.
Where is the Gallbladder Located?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the upper right abdomen, just beneath the liver. It measures approximately 7 to 10 centimeters (2.8 to 3.9 inches) in length and up to 5 centimeters (2 inches) across.
It connects to the liver and small intestine via the biliary tract, which transports bile, a digestive fluid, between these organs. Its position ensures it is available to release bile when needed.
Its Main Function: Bile Storage and Concentration
The primary function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile, a fluid produced by the liver. The liver continuously produces bile. When food is not being digested, much of this bile is diverted to the gallbladder for storage.
While stored in the gallbladder, bile undergoes concentration. The gallbladder wall absorbs water and electrolytes from the bile, which significantly increases the potency of the remaining bile salts and other components. This concentration process can make the bile 5 to 18 times more potent than when it was originally produced by the liver. The gallbladder typically holds about 30 to 80 milliliters of this concentrated bile, ready for release.
How Bile Aids Digestion
Bile plays a specific role in the digestion of dietary fats within the small intestine. When fatty foods enter the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine, hormonal signals prompt the gallbladder to contract. This contraction releases the concentrated bile into the duodenum through the common bile duct.
Once in the small intestine, bile salts, a key component of bile, perform a process called emulsification. Emulsification involves breaking down large globules of fat into much smaller droplets. This action increases the surface area of the fat particles, making them more accessible for digestive enzymes, particularly lipase, to efficiently break them down into fatty acids and monoglycerides. Beyond fat digestion, bile also assists in eliminating waste products from the body, such as bilirubin, which is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown.
Living Without a Gallbladder
While the gallbladder performs important functions, it is not considered an essential organ for survival. If the gallbladder needs to be removed, a surgical procedure known as a cholecystectomy is performed. After removal, the body adapts to the absence of the gallbladder by adjusting how bile flows.
Instead of being stored and concentrated, bile produced by the liver flows directly into the small intestine in a continuous, albeit less concentrated, stream. Most individuals can maintain normal digestion after gallbladder removal, but some may experience temporary digestive adjustments.
These can include loose stools, diarrhea, bloating, or mild difficulty digesting high-fat meals, as the body adjusts to the continuous bile flow. These symptoms often improve over time as the digestive system adapts to its new way of processing fats.