What does the gallbladder do?
General information only. This article explains the basics and is not medical advice. For anything about your own health, talk to a doctor or other qualified professional.
Quick answer
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ under the liver that stores and concentrates bile, a fluid made by the liver that helps digest fats. When you eat, especially fatty food, the gallbladder squeezes bile through ducts into the small intestine. People can live without a gallbladder, as the liver still makes bile.
Where it is
The gallbladder sits in the upper right part of the abdomen, tucked under the liver. It’s about 7–10 cm long and holds roughly 30–50 mL of bile, about three tablespoons.
What bile does
| Bile’s job | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Breaks up fats | Acts like dish soap, splitting fat into tiny droplets enzymes can digest |
| Helps absorb vitamins | Needed for fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K; see which vitamin comes from sunlight |
| Removes waste | Carries away old red blood cell pigments, which give stool its brown color; see why poop can be green |
Between meals, the gallbladder concentrates bile by removing water, making it several times stronger.
The bile route
- The liver makes bile continuously; see the largest internal organ.
- Bile flows to the gallbladder for storage.
- Eating triggers a hormone that makes the gallbladder contract.
- Bile travels down the common bile duct into the first part of the small intestine.
Gallstones
Sometimes substances in bile harden into gallstones, which can range from grain-sized to golf-ball-sized. Many cause no symptoms. When they block a duct, they can cause pain and need medical attention. Removal of the gallbladder is one of the most common operations worldwide.
Life without a gallbladder
After removal, bile flows directly from the liver into the intestine in a steady trickle. Most people digest food normally. Any questions about symptoms or treatment should go to a doctor.
This page is general information only and is not medical advice.
Sources
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