Gallbladder

Model comes in multiple 3d format

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver. Its primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Here are the key aspects of the gallbladder:

• Bile Storage: The gallbladder holds bile until it is needed for digestion, especially after eating fatty foods.
• Bile Release: When food enters the small intestine, hormones signal the gallbladder to contract and release bile through the cystic duct into the common bile duct, which then empties into the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).
• Role in Digestion: Bile helps emulsify fats, making them easier to digest and absorb.

While the gallbladder plays a significant role in digestion, it is not essential for life; individuals can live without it, as bile will flow directly from the liver to the intestines. Conditions such as gallstones or inflammation may necessitate its removal (cholecystectomy).