Gall Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology

Introduction

The gall bladder stores bile produced in the liver. Bile is important in the digestion of lipids.

The gall bladder forms as an outgrowth of the bile duct, as a secondary hollow at the posterior edge of the original hepatic rudiment. The gall bladder and the cyctic duct joins the common bile duct which enters the duodenum at the major duodenal papillae (with the pancreatic duct) on the dorsal surface of the duodenum.

Structure

Location of the Canine Gallbladder - Copyright RVC 2008

The gall bladder lies between the right medial and quadrate lobes of the liver. It is partly attached and partly free.

Function

The gall bladder stores bile and concentrates bile by absorption through the folded mucosal wall.

Innervation

The gall bladder is innervated by parasympathetic nerves.

Species Differences

Equine Equine species have no gallbladder.

Rodents

There is no gallbladder in rats.

Canine

The gall bladder lies opposite the 8th intercostal space. It has the thinest layers of tunica muscularis.

Bovine

The bovine gall bladder has the thickest layers of the tunica muscularis. The sheep have a less projecting gall bladder than cows. The gallbladder lies against the 10th or 11th rib.

Avian

Pigeons and parrots lack a gallbladder.

Histology

Histology of the Guinea-pig Gallbladder - Copyright RVC 2008

• Highly folded mucosa

• Reduced submucosa

• No lamina muscularis

• Simple columnar epithelium

• No glands

Links

Test yourself with the Liver & Gall Bladder Flashcards

Click here for gall bladder histology

Click here for pathology of the Gall Bladder