Anatomy of the Gallbladder

Gross Anatomy
Hollow, muscular and pear-shaped, the gallbladder is a small organ only about 3 inches in
length and 1.5 inches in width at its widest point. The larger end of the gallbladder extends
inferiorly and to the right while the tapered end points superiorly and medially. The tapered end
of the gallbladder narrows into a small bile duct known as the cystic duct. The cystic duct
connects to the common hepatic duct that carries bile from the liver. These ducts merge to form
the common bile duct that extends to the wall of the duodenum.
Microscopic Anatomy
The mucosa, which forms the innermost layer of the gallbladder, lines the gallbladder with
simple columnar epithelial tissue. The columnar epithelial tissue contains microvilli on its
surface, increasing the surface area and allowing the lining to absorb water and concentrate the
dilute bile.
Beneath the columnar tissue is a thin lamina propria layer made of connective tissue and
capillaries that support and anchor the epithelial layer.
Deep to the lamina propria is the muscularis layer that contains smooth muscle tissue.
Contraction of the muscularis pushes bile out of the gallbladder and into the cystic duct.
Surrounding the muscularis is a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue that helps to reinforce and
strengthen the wall of the gallbladder.
Finally, the serosa forms the outermost layer of the gallbladder. The serosa is an epithelial layer
that forms part of the peritoneum, or lining of the abdominal cavity. The serosa gives the
gallbladder a smooth, slick surface to prevent friction between moving organs.

Physiology of the Gallbladder

Storage
The gallbladder acts as a storage vessel for bile produced by the liver. Bile is produced by
hepatocytes cells in the liver and passes through the bile ducts to the cystic duct. From the cystic
duct, bile is pushed into the gallbladder by peristalsis (muscle contractions that occur in orderly
waves). Bile is then slowly concentrated by absorption of water through the walls of the
gallbladder. The gallbladder stores this concentrated bile until it is needed to digest the next
meal.
Stimulation
Foods rich in proteins or fats are more difficult for the body to digest when compared to
carbohydrate-rich foods (see Macronutrients). The walls of the duodenum contain sensory
receptors that monitor the chemical makeup of chyme (partially digested food) that passes
through the pyloric sphincter into the duodenum. When these cells detect proteins or fats, they
respond by producing the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). CCK enters the bloodstream and

travels to the gallbladder where it stimulates the smooth muscle tissue in the walls of the
gallbladder.
Secretion
When CCK reaches the gallbladder, it triggers the smooth muscle tissue in the muscularis layer
of the gallbladder to contract. The contraction of smooth muscle forces bile out of the gallbladder
and into the cystic duct. From the cystic duct, bile enters the common bile duct and flows into the
ampulla of Vater, where the bile ducts merge with the pancreatic duct. Bile then flows from the
ampulla of Vater into the duodenum where it breaks the fats into smaller masses for easier
digestion by the enzyme pancreatic lipase.
Gallstones
Gallstones are hard masses of bile salts, pigments, and cholesterol that develop within the
gallbladder. These solid masses form when the components of bile crystallize. Growing slowly
over many years as more crystallization occurs, gallstones may reach up to an inch in diameter.
Most gallstones remain in the gallbladder and are harmless, but they can be pushed out of the
gallbladder along with bile and potentially block the neck of the gallbladder or one of the bile
ducts. Blockage of the gallbladder or cystic duct may result in cholecystitis, a painful
inflammation of the gallbladder. Even worse, blockage of the common bile duct may result in
jaundice and liver damage, while blockage of the ampulla of Vater can lead to pancreatitis. Both
liver damage and pancreatitis are potentially life-threatening conditions.
Gallstones are most often treated by a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder.