the gallbladder Flashcards
what is the gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a gastrointestinal organ located within the abdominal cavity.
what is the function of the gallbladder?
It is used as a temporary storage for bile, a fluid produced in the liver
when is the bile released?
It is concentrated and released from the gallbladder in response to eating
what type of structure is the gallbladder within the peritoneum? and where does it lie within the peritoneum?
It is a peritoneal structure, and lays high in the abdomen, in the right hypochondriac region
anatomically, what shape is the gallbladder?
Anatomically it is a small sac reminiscent of a pear in shape
where does the gallbladder lie in relation to the liver?
laying in a fossa between the right and quadrate lobes on the inferior aspect of the liver
what is the storage capacity of the gallbladder? and how many parts is the gallbladder divided into?
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac, with a storage capacity of 30-50ml. It is typically divided into three parts
what are the 3 parts of the gallbladder?
fundus, body and neck
describe the fundus part of the gallbladder
Fundus: The rounded, end portion of the gallbladder
where does the fundus project into in terms of the liver?
fundus projects into the inferior surface of the liver
describe the body part of the gallbladder
The largest part of the gallbladder.
what can the body part of the gallbladder sometimes be in contact with?
occasionally in contact with the transverse colon and proximal duodenum
in the neck part of the gallbladder, what does the gallbladder become continuous with? what does it lead to?
the gallbladder tapers to become continuous with the cystic duct, leading to the biliary tree
what does the neck part of the gallbladder contain? what is it known as?
The neck contains a mucosal fold, known as Hartmann’s Pouch
what is the clinical relevance of Hartmann’s pouch?
Hartmann’s pouch is a common location for gallstones to become lodged, causing cholestasis
what is secreted from the gallbladder?
bile
where does the secreted bile from the gallbladder enter? what does it enter via?
Bile is secreted from the gallbladder into the gastrointestinal tract via a series of ducts
what are the series of ducts which the bile travels to the GI tract via known as?
biliary tree
where do the ducts of biliary tree extend from?
These ducts extend from the liver
what do the biliary tree ducts communite with
communicating with the gallbladder and pancreas
where do the ducts of the biliary tree end?
at an opening into the duodenum
where does the biliary tree begin with?
The biliary tree begins with the left and right hepatic ducts
what is the function of the left and right hepatic ducts?
which drains bile from the liver where it has been synthesised
what do the left and right hepatic ducts amalgamate to form?
common hepatic duct
which structures does common hepatic duct run alongside?
hepatic vein
what is the common hepatic duct joined by as it descends?
As the common hepatic duct descends, it is joined by the cystic duct
what is the cystic duct a continuation of?
neck of the gallbladder
What do the common hepatic duct and cystic duct combine to form
the common bile duct
which structures does the common bile duct pass posterior to as it continues to descend?
As the common bile duct continues to descend, it passes posteriorly to the proximal duodenum
what does the bile duct join with after it has passed posteriorly to the procimal duodenum?
joins with the pancreatic duct of the pancreas
as the bile duct joins with the pancreatic duct of the pancreas, what does it form?
the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater
what does the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater then empty into?
empties into the duodenum
what is the opening into the duodenum known as?
the major duodenal papilla
what is the major duodenal papilla regulated by? what is it known as?
a muscular valve
the sphincter of Oddi
what is the gallbladder entirely surrounded by?
The Gallbladder is entirely surrounded by peritoneum
what does the peritoneum of the gallbladder bind to?
binding to the visceral covering of the liver
which structures does the peritoneum lie in close proximity to anteriorly and superiorly?
Inferior border of the liver and the anterior abdominal wall
which structures does the peritoneum lie in close proximity to posteriorly?
Transverse colon and the proximal duodenum
which structures does the peritoneum lie in close proximity to inferiorly?
Biliary tree and duodenum.
