the gallbladder

Question 1

what is the gallbladder?

Answer 1

The gallbladder is a gastrointestinal organ located within the abdominal cavity.

Question 2

what is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 2

It is used as a temporary storage for bile, a fluid produced in the liver

Question 3

when is the bile released?

Answer 3

It is concentrated and released from the gallbladder in response to eating

Question 4

what type of structure is the gallbladder within the peritoneum? and where does it lie within the peritoneum?

Answer 4

It is a peritoneal structure, and lays high in the abdomen, in the right hypochondriac region

Question 5

anatomically, what shape is the gallbladder?

Answer 5

Anatomically it is a small sac reminiscent of a pear in shape

Question 6

where does the gallbladder lie in relation to the liver?

Answer 6

laying in a fossa between the right and quadrate lobes on the inferior aspect of the liver

Question 7

what is the storage capacity of the gallbladder? and how many parts is the gallbladder divided into?

Answer 7

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac, with a storage capacity of 30-50ml. It is typically divided into three parts

Question 8

what are the 3 parts of the gallbladder?

Answer 8

fundus, body and neck

Question 9

describe the fundus part of the gallbladder

Answer 9

Fundus: The rounded, end portion of the gallbladder

Question 10

where does the fundus project into in terms of the liver?

Answer 10

fundus projects into the inferior surface of the liver

Question 11

describe the body part of the gallbladder

Answer 11

The largest part of the gallbladder.

Question 12

what can the body part of the gallbladder sometimes be in contact with?

Answer 12

occasionally in contact with the transverse colon and proximal duodenum

Question 13

in the neck part of the gallbladder, what does the gallbladder become continuous with? what does it lead to?

Answer 13

the gallbladder tapers to become continuous with the cystic duct, leading to the biliary tree

Question 14

what does the neck part of the gallbladder contain? what is it known as?

Answer 14

The neck contains a mucosal fold, known as Hartmann’s Pouch

Question 15

what is the clinical relevance of Hartmann’s pouch?

Answer 15

Hartmann’s pouch is a common location for gallstones to become lodged, causing cholestasis

Question 16

what is secreted from the gallbladder?

Answer 16

bile

Question 17

where does the secreted bile from the gallbladder enter? what does it enter via?

Answer 17

Bile is secreted from the gallbladder into the gastrointestinal tract via a series of ducts

Question 18

what are the series of ducts which the bile travels to the GI tract via known as?

Answer 18

biliary tree

Question 19

where do the ducts of biliary tree extend from?

Answer 19

These ducts extend from the liver

Question 20

what do the biliary tree ducts communite with

Answer 20

communicating with the gallbladder and pancreas

Question 21

where do the ducts of the biliary tree end?

Answer 21

at an opening into the duodenum

Question 22

where does the biliary tree begin with?

Answer 22

The biliary tree begins with the left and right hepatic ducts

Question 23

what is the function of the left and right hepatic ducts?

Answer 23

which drains bile from the liver where it has been synthesised

Question 24

what do the left and right hepatic ducts amalgamate to form?

Answer 24

common hepatic duct

Question 25

which structures does common hepatic duct run alongside?

Answer 25

hepatic vein

Question 26

what is the common hepatic duct joined by as it descends?

Answer 26

As the common hepatic duct descends, it is joined by the cystic duct

Question 27

what is the cystic duct a continuation of?

Answer 27

neck of the gallbladder

Question 28

What do the common hepatic duct and cystic duct combine to form

Answer 28

the common bile duct

Question 29

which structures does the common bile duct pass posterior to as it continues to descend?

Answer 29

As the common bile duct continues to descend, it passes posteriorly to the proximal duodenum

Question 30

what does the bile duct join with after it has passed posteriorly to the procimal duodenum?

Answer 30

joins with the pancreatic duct of the pancreas

Question 31

as the bile duct joins with the pancreatic duct of the pancreas, what does it form?

Answer 31

the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater

Question 32

what does the hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater then empty into?

Answer 32

empties into the duodenum

Question 33

what is the opening into the duodenum known as?

Answer 33

the major duodenal papilla

Question 34

what is the major duodenal papilla regulated by? what is it known as?

Answer 34

a muscular valve

the sphincter of Oddi

Question 35

what is the gallbladder entirely surrounded by?

Answer 35

The Gallbladder is entirely surrounded by peritoneum

Question 36

what does the peritoneum of the gallbladder bind to?

Answer 36

binding to the visceral covering of the liver

Question 37

which structures does the peritoneum lie in close proximity to anteriorly and superiorly?

Answer 37

Inferior border of the liver and the anterior abdominal wall

Question 38

which structures does the peritoneum lie in close proximity to posteriorly?

Answer 38

Transverse colon and the proximal duodenum

Question 39

which structures does the peritoneum lie in close proximity to inferiorly?

Answer 39

Biliary tree and duodenum.