Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac that is attached to the posterior surface of the right lobe of the liver and it is anatomically divided into the fundus, body and neck. The portion that joins the neck is referred to as the infundibulum.

The main function of the gallbladder is to store and release bile into the duodenum. The release of bile is stimulated by the presence of dietary fats in the small intestine, where it acts as a surfactant to emulsify and digest lipids from the food.

Normal gallbladder

Section of a normal gallbladder, stained with hematoxylin and eosin for contrast.

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Gallbladder

The wall of the gallbladder is composed of three layers:

  • Mucosa, the luminal surface of the gallbladder
  • Muscularis, the smooth muscle wall, directly beneath the mucosa
  • Serosa, the connective tissue surrounding the organ

Gallbladder lack muscularis mucosae or submucosa.