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Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small (10 cm long) pear-shaped organ that is located near the duodenum and the liver. The gallbladder is connected to the liver and the duodenum through small tubes.

Where is the gallbladder and what does it do?

The gallbladder's main function is to store bile, a dark green digestive liquid produced by the liver. Bile is a substance that helps to break down fats. When stored in the gallbladder, bile becomes more concentrated and therefore more powerful in its ability to do its work.

When foods containing fats arrive in the small intestine, the gallbladder releases the stored bile into the duodenum. Here the bile helps to break down fats and also neutralize acids in the food that has arrived from the stomach.

Disorders/problems of the gallbladder

Some problems that could arise in the gallbladder are listed below. Information leaflets on some conditions of the gallbladder are available by clicking below.

• Gall stones
• Cholecystitis
• Gallbladder cancer