Functions of the Gallbladder
The gallbladder acts as a reservoir for bile i.e. storage and release of bile. Bile is secreted by the liver and is dark greenish to yellowish brown in colour. It is composed of 85% of water, 10% bile salts, 3% bile pigments such as bilirubin (a pigment produced as a result of red blood cell breakdown) and mucous, 1% fats (cholesterol and lecithin) and 0.7% inorganic salts. The function of the bile is to emulsify and absorb the fats in the small intestine. Its secretion is controlled by cholecystokinin, which is produced by the duodenal mucosa in response to the arrival of fatty food in the duodenum from the stomach.
The second main function of the gallbladder is to concentrate the bile, by absorbing water and inorganic salts. The bile is concentrated 5-10 times more than what is produced by the liver, with a corresponding increase in bile salts, bile pigments, cholesterol and calcium.
The third function of the gallbladder is to secrete mucous.
The second main function of the gallbladder is to concentrate the bile, by absorbing water and inorganic salts. The bile is concentrated 5-10 times more than what is produced by the liver, with a corresponding increase in bile salts, bile pigments, cholesterol and calcium.
The third function of the gallbladder is to secrete mucous.