Gall Stones

Question 1

Bile not only contains bile salts, but also cholesterol & phospholipids which are water-insoluble
how are they maintained in soluble form

Answer 1

and are maintained in a soluble form in the bile as micelles

Question 2

How are gall stones formed

Answer 2

When the concentration of cholesterol in bile becomes high in relation to the concentrations of phospholipid & bile salts, the cholesterol will crystallise out of solution forming gall stones

Question 3

How does the size of the gall stone determine where it goes

Answer 3

If the stone is small it may be able to pass freely through the common bile duct into the intestine with no complications

-If its larger the stone may become lodges in the opening of the gallbladder causing painful contractile spasms of the smooth muscle

Question 4

What happens if a large stone becomes lodged in the opening of the gall bladder

Answer 4

If its larger the stone may become lodges in the opening of the gallbladder causing painful contractile spasms of the smooth muscle

Question 5

When can gall stones become serious why

Answer 5

The problem becomes more serious if the stones become lodged in the common bile duct thereby preventing the bile from entering the intestines

-A significant decrease in bile can decrease fat digestion & absorption

Question 6

What can a significant decrease in bile, decreasing fat digestion and absorption cause

Answer 6

This can result in an impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A,DK & Eresulting in clotting problems (Vit K) or calcium malabsorption (Vit D)

-The fat that is not absorbed will enter the large intestine and appear in the faeces (steatorrhea)

Question 7

What does bacteria in the large intestine do to the unabsorbed fat

Answer 7

Also the bacteria in the large intestine convert some of this fat into fatty acid derivatives that alter salt & watermovements leading to a net flow of fluid into the large intestine - resulting in diarrhoea & fluid & nutrient loss

Question 8

If a gall stone becomes lodged at a point that prevents bothbile &pancreatic secretions from entering the intestine

what will this cause

Answer 8

then this will result in failure to both neutralise acid & adequately digest most organic nutrients not just fat - this can result in severe nutritional deficiencies