Digestive system
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small pouch under the liver that stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the gut to help digest fatty food. Gallstones are a very common problem.
What it is
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac tucked under the liver.
Where it is
Under the liver, in the upper right abdomen.
What it does
Stores and concentrates bile made by the liver, then releases it into the small intestine to help break down and absorb fats after a meal.
How it works
Between meals the gallbladder fills with bile and concentrates it. When fatty food reaches the gut, the gallbladder squeezes bile down a duct into the small intestine to aid digestion.
When things go wrong
Common conditions affecting the gallbladder
- Gallstones
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Bile duct blockage
Education and reference only. This explains the anatomy in plain terms and is not a diagnosis. Sudden severe symptoms — such as severe chest pain, breathlessness or collapse — are an emergency; call 999.
Looking after it
Keeping your gallbladder healthy
A healthy weight and balanced diet reduce gallstone risk; the gallbladder can be removed if it causes problems, and the body adjusts well without it.
Did you know?
An interesting fact
You can live perfectly well without a gallbladder — bile simply flows straight from the liver to the gut instead of being stored.
Answers
Gallbladder: frequently asked questions
What does the gallbladder do?
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile from the liver and releases it into the gut to help digest fatty food.
Can you live without a gallbladder?
Yes. If it is removed (a common operation for gallstones), bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine and most people digest food normally.
The digestive system
Related organs
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Anatomy and body systems
- Gray's Anatomy for Students
- TeachMeAnatomy / TeachMePhysiology
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