Gall Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search
BACK TO ALIMENTARY - ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
BACK TO THE LIVER

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
  • Lies between the right medial and quadrate lobes of the liver
  • Partly attached
  • Partly free


Function

  • Stores bile
  • Concentrates bile by absorption through the folded mucosal wall


Innervation

  • Parasympathetic nerves


Histology

Histology of the Guinea-pig Gallbladder - Copyright RVC 2008
  • Highly folded mucosa
  • Reduced submucosa
  • No lamina muscularis
  • Simple columnar epithelium
  • No glands


Species Differences

Equine

  • No gallbladder

Rodents

  • No gallbladder in rats

Canine

  • Lies opposite the 8th intercostal space
  • Thinest layers of tunica muscularis

Bovine

  • Thickest layers of tunica muscularis
  • Sheep have a less projecting gall bladder than cows
  • Gallbladder lies against the 10th or 11th rib

Avian

  • Pigeons and parrots lack a gallbladder

Links

Liver & Gall Bladder Flashcards

Pathology of the Gall Bladder

BACK TO THE LIVER