Gall Bladder - Anatomy & Physiology

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BACK TO THE LIVER

Introduction

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

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

  • The horse has no gallbladder

Canine

  • In some dogs, the gallbladder is so deeply embedded it makes contact with the diaphragm and contacts the parietal surface

Rodents

  • Rats do not have a gallbladder


Links

Pathology of the Gall Bladder