Gallbladder anatomy
The gallbladder is a fibromuscular sac that lies on the posteroinferior surface of the right lobe of the liver.
Gallbladder Function
Bile flows in and out of the gallbladder via the cystic duct. When the sphincter of Oddi closes in the interdigestive period pressure forces bile into the gallbladder where water is reabsorbed concentrating the bile.
When the sphincter of Oddi opens bile flows out of the cystic duct and into the small intestine via the common bile duct.
Hartmann's pouch is the outpouching of the gallbladder at the junction of neck and cystic duct. If gallstones impact here they may form Mucoceles.
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Anterior view of the liver with gallbladder visible at inferior edge of liver. Note its position anterior to the transverse colon with the fundus in contact with the transverse colon
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Diagram illustrating basic structure of gallbladder
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Close up of the gallbladder and close anatomical relations
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Fundus, body and neck of gallbladder and relation to 1st and 2nd parts of duodenum. See how the gallbladder lies anterior to the 1st part of the duodenum and part of the 2nd part (descending part)of the duodenum
Relations
| Relation to gallbladder | Structure |
|---|---|
| Anterior and superior | Liver Anterior abdominal wall |
| Posteriorly | Transverse colon 1st -2nd parts of duodenum |
| Inferiorly | Biliary tree 2nd-4th parts of duodenum |
Gallbladder Function
Bile flows in and out of the gallbladder via the cystic duct. When the sphincter of Oddi closes in the interdigestive period pressure forces bile into the gallbladder where water is reabsorbed concentrating the bile.
When the sphincter of Oddi opens bile flows out of the cystic duct and into the small intestine via the common bile duct.
Hartmann's pouch is the outpouching of the gallbladder at the junction of neck and cystic duct. If gallstones impact here they may form Mucoceles.