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gall bladder

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

The gall bladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits under the liver. It is about 3 to 4 inches long and 1 to 2 inches wide. The gall bladder stores bile, a yellow-green fluid that is produced by the liver. Bile helps to digest fats by breaking them down into smaller pieces.

The gall bladder is not essential for life. If it is removed, the liver will still produce bile, but it will be released directly into the small intestine. However, some people who have their gall bladders removed may experience problems with digestion, such as diarrhoea or bloating.

Bile is made up of water, bile salts, cholesterol, and other substances. Bile salts are important for breaking down fats. They help to emulsify fats, which means that they break them down into smaller pieces so that they can be more easily digested.

The gall bladder contracts when fatty foods enter the small intestine. This causes bile to be released into the small intestine, where it helps to digest the fats.

Sometimes, the gall bladder can develop problems. These problems can include gallstones, inflammation, and cancer. Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gall bladder. They can cause pain, nausea, and vomiting. Inflammation of the gall bladder is called cholecystitis. It can cause pain, fever, and jaundice. Cancer of the gall bladder is rare, but it can be serious.

If you have problems with your gall bladder, your doctor may recommend that you have it removed. Gall bladder removal is a relatively safe surgery. Most people who have their gall bladders removed recover quickly and are able to return to their normal activities.

How can the word be used?

The gall bladder is a small, pear-shaped organ.

gall bladder

Different forms of the word

Noun: gall bladder, gall bladders.

Adjective: gall bladder.

Etymology

The word "gall bladder" comes from the Old English words galla, meaning "bile", and blæder, meaning "bag". The Old English word galla is related to the Latin word gallus, which also means "bile".

Question

What does the gall bladder do?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question: What is the function of the gall bladder?

Answer:

The gall bladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile. Bile is a fluid that is produced by the liver and helps to digest fats. The gall bladder stores bile until it is needed, and then it releases bile into the small intestine to help digest fats.

Here are some more details about the function of the gall bladder:

  • Bile: Bile is a yellow-green fluid that is produced by the liver. It contains bile acids, salts, and cholesterol. Bile acids help to break down fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. Bile salts also help to emulsify fats, which means that they break down the fats into tiny droplets that can be more easily digested.
  • Small intestine: The small intestine is the longest part of the digestive tract. It is where most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place. Bile is released into the small intestine when food is present. The bile helps to break down fats and make them more digestible.