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Learning About the Gallbladder

Many people don't usually bother to educate themselves about the gallbladder until it starts causing trouble. However, learning as much as possible about this important organ can be helpful, especially if you are experiencing an issue and are trying to get a better picture of what may be going wrong.

What is the Gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small organ, which is attached to the liver. Its job is to store the bile. When a person eats, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine where it helps break up fats.  

The Most Common Gallbladder Problems

Gallstones

Gallstones are solid particles formed from bile cholesterol and bilirubin.

Cholecystitis

Gallbladder inflammation. It can be acute or chronic. The condition occurs when the gallstones are stuck at the gallbladder's opening.

Gallstone Pancreatitis

Gallstones block the pancreatic duct, resulting in pancreas' inflammation.

Gallbladder Problems
gallbladder surgery boise

Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer is a rare condition. It's difficult to diagnose and usually discovered at the late stages of the disease.

Can you Live Without a Gallbladder

While the gallbladder is a useful organ, a human body can function without it. After a gallbladder removal surgery, the bile proceeds directly into the small intestine, which warrants some changes to the patient's lifestyle.

What Does a Gallbladder Look Like?

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ. It's usually 3 to 4 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter. Much like the urinary bladder, when the organ is empty, it's flat. As it fills with bile, the gallbladder balloons to start taking the shape of a pear. The gallbladder's storage capacity is about 50 ml (1.7 fl. oz.).

The organ's anatomical structure includes:

Fundus

The top rounded part of the gallbladder (the bottom of the pear). It's located near the inferior surface of the liver.

Body

The middle part of the gallbladder.

Neck

The bottom part of the gallbladder (top part of the pear). It's connected to the cystic duct that turns into a common duct. The latter connects the gallbladder to the liver and the pancreas.

Where Is the Gallbladder Located?

The gallbladder is located on the right side of your body, directly under the liver. It's attached to the liver and the pancreas with a series of ducts. The gallbladder generally sits at the midline of the right (larger) lobe of the liver.

Medical professionals can palpate the gallbladder when the patient is lying on the back or side. Without special knowledge, it's hard for the patient to locate the gallbladder even if it's enlarged.

When to See a Doctor for Gallbladder Issues

If you feel that you may be experiencing gallbladder symptoms you may need a laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure. It is imperative that you seek medical advice from an experienced medical physician like Dr. Steven Williams. He is known as the surgeon of choice for Hiatal Hernia / GERD, Gallbladder, Hernia, Varicose Veins and Spleen Surgery in the Boise area.

Contact us today for more information about gallbladder conditions, diagnosis, and treatment options or to set an appointment.

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