Where is the Gallbladder Located in the Body
Read the article to find out where is the gallbladder is located in the body, along with its functions, diseases affecting it and treatment.
Not many people know where is the gallbladder located in the body. This is because the gallbladder is a small sack like structure hiding somewhere behind the liver and has a comparatively minor role to play in the whole digestion process. Nevertheless, the importance and significance of the gallbladder in the human body and the digestive system cannot be ignored. Numerous questions regarding gallbladder location and function are answered below.
What Exactly is the Gallbladder?
The small muscular sack, whose shape resembles that of a pear, and stores bile in the human body is known as the gallbladder. Any bile formed in the body by the liver is passed on through small canals or ducts to the small intestine, and from there on to the gallbladder. Whenever a person consumes a small meal, bile stored in the gallbladder is secreted and used for digestion. When a person consumes food, the fat present in it releases cholecystokinin (CCK) which is a hormone. This hormone indicates the gallbladder to eject the bile it contains to the small intestine, where it helps dissolve fats present in the food consumed.
What is Bile?
Bile is yellowish brown fluid, comprising of salts, pigments, lecithin and cholesterol, which aids in the process of digestion. Bile is formed in almost all mammals by the liver. This fluid has emulsification properties, which helps in binding two substances together and therefore it is useful in breaking down fats present in food. An important function of bile is that it helps in absorption of various vitamins from foodstuffs and helps the body utilize them.
Where is the Gallbladder Located in the Body?
The gallbladder location in the body is on the right hand side of the rib cage, just behind the liver. It touches the liver at the bottom. A canal or duct joining the liver and small intestine is connected to a duct to and from the gallbladder. It is through this duct the bile enters and exits the gallbladder. Along with bile, the duct also carries enzymes secreted from pancreas which help in the digestion process.
What is the Function of the Gallbladder in the Body?
After learning where is the gallbladder located in the body, it is essential to know it’s uses and function. The liver keeps on constantly producing and secreting bile in variable amounts. Some amount of this bile directly enters the small intestine and is used for digestion of consumed foodstuffs. The remaining bile is transferred to the gallbladder. This bile is then utilized by the intestine to breakdown fats, whenever a person consumes a small meal containing large quantities of fatty substances. The gallbladder also stores any excess bile carried by the ducts.
What are the Diseases and Conditions of the Gallbladder?
Gallstones are formed in the gallbladder, if certain substances present in bile solidify. Normally people who are above 40 and overweight face this problem. Women are more prone to this condition. These stones cause swelling of the gallbladder and as a result the small intestine is unable to digest fatty foodstuffs. This disease is similar to the indigestion problem people face and also shows similar symptoms. In case the gallstone gets stuck in the bile duct, severe pain is experienced. Read more in detail about gallbladder diseases
.
What is the Treatment for Gallbladder Diseases?
There are chances the gallstone passes out of the human body on it’s own after some time. In case it does not, the option is to surgically remove the gallbladder. The surgery is known as cholecystectomy, and is preformed by making a deep cut on the abdomen and taking out the gallbladder. Provision is made for the bile to pass through the ducts directly from liver to large intestine. The gallbladder surgery is simple and there are rarely any complications experienced by patients. However, diarrhea, infection on the duct from the gallbladder and bleeding in this area are some of the complications which may occur. These are not a cause of worry and can be easily treated with medications after consulting a doctor.
After understanding, where the gallbladder is located in the body, along with its functions and diseases affecting it, people should be careful whenever they experience any pain around the ribcage area on the right side. This could not necessarily be because of a gallbladder disease, but there is a possibility. As is the case with medical conditions, always visit a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
