gallbladder /gall·blad·der/ (gawl´blad-er) the reservoir for bile on the posteroinferior surface of the liver.
Gallbladder
gallbladder (GB)
gallbladder [gawl´blad-er]
gall·blad·der or gall bladder (gôl bl d  r)n. A small, pear-shaped muscular sac, located under the right lobe of the liver, in which bile secreted by the liver is stored until needed by the body for digestion. Also called cholecyst, cholecystis. |
Gallbladder
A small, pear-shaped organ in the upper right hand corner of the abdomen. It is connected by a series of ducts (tube-like channels) to the liver, pancreas, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The gallbladder receives bile from the liver, and concentrates and stores it. After a meal, bile is squeezed out of the gallbladder into the intestine, where it aids in digestion of food.
Mentioned in: Cholecystectomy, Wilson Disease
gallbladder (GB)
[gôl′blad′ər]
Etymology: ME, gal + AS, blaedre
a pear-shaped excretory sac lodged in a fossa on the visceral surface of the right lobe of the liver. It stores and concentrates bile, which it receives from the liver via the hepatic duct. In an adult it holds about 32 mL of bile. During digestion of fats the gallbladder contracts, ejecting bile through the common bile duct into the duodenum. The gallbladder is divided into a fundus, body, and neck and is covered by the peritoneum. Obstruction of the biliary system by gallstones may lead to jaundice and pain and may require surgical or other intervention. See also lithotripsy.
gallbladder [gawl´blad-er]
the pear-shaped organ located below the liver. It serves as a storage place for bile.
Diagnostic Studies. Laboratory tests helpful in the diagnosis of gallbladder and biliary tract diseases include evaluation of direct bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, both of which are elevated in biliary tract disease. The presence of bile in the urine is indicative of biliary obstruction.
One of the most common radiologic techniques for diagnosis of gallbladder disease is ultrasonography. It is a noninvasive procedure that can help differentiate between biliary obstruction and liver disease. Abnormal patterns on the graph can show an enlarged gallbladder, obstruction of the common bile duct, dilatation in the biliary tree, and the presence of stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct. Ultrasonography has the advantages of being quick, requiring no special preparation of the patient, and avoiding the risks of exposure to radiation from x-rays.
Another commonly used radiologic study is radionuclide imaging, using an intravenous injection of 99Tc iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) or some other radioisotope that has an affinity for the biliary tree and concentrates at that site.
Oral cholecystography, in which an iodinated radiopaque contrast medium is ingested, absorbed by the intestines, and excreted by the liver in the bile, is useful in opacification of the gallbladder. However, this method can be used only in patients without acute symptoms.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography can be used to visualize the biliary ducts in jaundiced patients. A needle is inserted through the skin into the liver. The contrast medium is then injected into the liver and subsequently excreted in the biliary system. Obstructions and distention of the bile ducts can thus be observed, after which the ducts are drained of bile that has accumulated behind the obstruction.
When a suspected disorder of the gallbladder cannot be identified by any of the above procedures, the physician may choose to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Under fluoroscopic control the endoscope is inserted into the mouth and guided through the esophagus and down to the descending duodenum. Cannulas are then directed through the endoscope and placed in the common bile duct; through them a contrast medium is injected into the ducts so that they can be inspected by fluoroscopy.
Unfortunately, none of the diagnostic tests is completely reliable, and between 5 and 10 per cent of patients with biliary disease have repeated normal test values. Many such patients eventually have exploratory surgery because of persistence of symptoms. In such cases the gallbladder is often inflamed but without stones, or it may contain grains of sand too small to be visualized by the testing procedures.
One of the most common radiologic techniques for diagnosis of gallbladder disease is ultrasonography. It is a noninvasive procedure that can help differentiate between biliary obstruction and liver disease. Abnormal patterns on the graph can show an enlarged gallbladder, obstruction of the common bile duct, dilatation in the biliary tree, and the presence of stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct. Ultrasonography has the advantages of being quick, requiring no special preparation of the patient, and avoiding the risks of exposure to radiation from x-rays.
Another commonly used radiologic study is radionuclide imaging, using an intravenous injection of 99Tc iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) or some other radioisotope that has an affinity for the biliary tree and concentrates at that site.
Oral cholecystography, in which an iodinated radiopaque contrast medium is ingested, absorbed by the intestines, and excreted by the liver in the bile, is useful in opacification of the gallbladder. However, this method can be used only in patients without acute symptoms.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography can be used to visualize the biliary ducts in jaundiced patients. A needle is inserted through the skin into the liver. The contrast medium is then injected into the liver and subsequently excreted in the biliary system. Obstructions and distention of the bile ducts can thus be observed, after which the ducts are drained of bile that has accumulated behind the obstruction.
When a suspected disorder of the gallbladder cannot be identified by any of the above procedures, the physician may choose to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Under fluoroscopic control the endoscope is inserted into the mouth and guided through the esophagus and down to the descending duodenum. Cannulas are then directed through the endoscope and placed in the common bile duct; through them a contrast medium is injected into the ducts so that they can be inspected by fluoroscopy.
Unfortunately, none of the diagnostic tests is completely reliable, and between 5 and 10 per cent of patients with biliary disease have repeated normal test values. Many such patients eventually have exploratory surgery because of persistence of symptoms. In such cases the gallbladder is often inflamed but without stones, or it may contain grains of sand too small to be visualized by the testing procedures.
Surgery of the Gallbladder and the Biliary Tree. The most common operation on the biliary system is cholecystectomy, the removal of the gallbladder. cholecystostomy, or drainage of the gallbladder, is rarely done today. choledochotomy, exploration of the common bile duct, is indicated if there are stones or a tumor obstructing the major drainage system. The duct is generally explored directly, but in difficult cases it may be approached through the wall of the duodenum.
Biliary surgery is usually followed by leakage of bile from the repaired common duct or from the gallbladder bed. Accordingly, many surgeons drain the gallbladder bed with a soft drain for several days. If the common duct is opened, drainage of bile can be accomplished by the insertion of a T-tube, which decompresses the common duct until it is healed. T-tubes are generally left in place for 10 days or more in order to develop a tract through which bile can drain after the T-tube is removed. A T-tube cholangiogram is usually performed prior to the removal of the tube in order to determine that the common bile duct is patent and free of stones. If stones are found, they can be removed through the tube tract by instruments inserted under x-ray control.
Minimally invasive techniques of surgery are dramatically changing cholecystectomy. Laser and endoscopic procedures to remove the gallbladder do not require insertion of a T-tube.
Biliary surgery is usually followed by leakage of bile from the repaired common duct or from the gallbladder bed. Accordingly, many surgeons drain the gallbladder bed with a soft drain for several days. If the common duct is opened, drainage of bile can be accomplished by the insertion of a T-tube, which decompresses the common duct until it is healed. T-tubes are generally left in place for 10 days or more in order to develop a tract through which bile can drain after the T-tube is removed. A T-tube cholangiogram is usually performed prior to the removal of the tube in order to determine that the common bile duct is patent and free of stones. If stones are found, they can be removed through the tube tract by instruments inserted under x-ray control.
Minimally invasive techniques of surgery are dramatically changing cholecystectomy. Laser and endoscopic procedures to remove the gallbladder do not require insertion of a T-tube.
T-tube placement in gallbladder surgery. The surgeon ties off the cystic duct and sutures the T-tube into the common bile duct, with the short arms of the T-tube toward the hepatic duct and duodenum. The long arm of the T-tube exits the body near the incision site. Skin suture and tape secure placement. From Polaski and Tatro, 1996.
gallbladder
the pear-shaped reservoir for bile attached to the visceral surface or between the lobes of the liver in all domestic animal species except the horse. It serves as a storage place for bile. The gallbladder may be subject to such disorders as inflammation and the formation of gallstone.
gallbladder cystic mucosal hyperplasia
hyperplasia of the mucus-secreting glands in the gallbladder and larger bile ducts.
gallbladder edema
a gross lesion in many cases of infectious canine hepatitis.
gallbladder inflammation
cholecystitis.
gallbladder meridian points
acupuncture points on the gallbladder meridian.
gallbladder paralysis
a specific abnormality in lantadene poisoning. The gallbladder is grossly distended and full of viscid, pale bile.
porcelain gallbladder
intramural mineralization of the gallbladder.
gallbladder radiography
see cholecystography.
Patient discussion about gallbladder.
Q. What is a cholecystectomy and how is it done? My Doctor diagnosed me with gallstones and said I have to have a cholecystectomy surgery. What is this and how is it done?
A. Cholecystectomy is a surgery in which the gallbladder is removed. Don't be alarmed since you can live without your gallbladder. When the gallbladder is gone, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine.
You will probably have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which means a surgeon will make a small slit in your abdomen, then insert a tubelike instrument which has a camera and surgical instruments attached. This is used to take out the gallbladder with the stones inside it.
This procedure causes less pain than open surgery, is less likely to cause complications, and has a faster recovery time. This surgery is performed in an operating room and you will be under general anesthesia. It usually takes 20 minutes to one hour.
You will probably have a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which means a surgeon will make a small slit in your abdomen, then insert a tubelike instrument which has a camera and surgical instruments attached. This is used to take out the gallbladder with the stones inside it.
This procedure causes less pain than open surgery, is less likely to cause complications, and has a faster recovery time. This surgery is performed in an operating room and you will be under general anesthesia. It usually takes 20 minutes to one hour.
Q. what do i do with my gallbladder i'm not living a norimal life. i'm in pain every day. i cant eat the foods that i like because they make me hurt to bad. who says it will keep working at 6% what if it quits working completely them what do i do?
A. I had my gallbladder removed in '99. I felt 100% better afterwards. Mine did totaly stop fuctioning so the surgery had to be done that morning! I am doing great from the affects my gallbladder that wasn't fuctioning correctly had given me.
Q. how people deal with after gallbladder removal
A. Usually a gallbladder removal procedure is very easy to undergo, it does not have many complications and it is not supposed to affect your health afterwards. A surgery that is done laparoscopically usually has less hospitalization days and the recovery is easy.
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