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Gallbladder Facts & Worksheets

The Gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that helps our body digest food and is located in the upper right of the abdomen, beneath the liver.

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The gallbladder, or cholecyst, is a tiny, hollow organ found in vertebrates that stores and concentrates bile before releasing it into the small intestine. Although the form and location of the gallbladder can differ significantly between animal species, in humans, the gallbladder is located underneath the liver. 

See the fact file below for more information on the Gallbladder, or you can download our 27-page Gallbladder worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

Structure

  • When fully inflated, the gallbladder in adults measures about 7 to 10 centimeters (2.8 to 3.9 inches) in length and 4 centimeters (1.6 inches) in diameter. 
  • It has a capacity of about 50 milliliters (1.8 imperial fluid ounces). 
  • The right lobe of the liver has a shallow dip underneath it where the gallbladder, a hollow organ, is located.
  • The gallbladder is pear-like, with the cystic duct at its apex. The fundus, body, and neck comprise the gallbladder’s three parts. The base, which is rounded and oriented to face the abdominal wall, is the fundus. The body is located in a depression on the lower liver’s surface.
  • The cystic duct, a component of the biliary tree, is continuous with the tapering neck. Under the intersection of hepatic segments IVB and V lies the gallbladder fossa, against which the fundus and body of the gallbladder rest.
  • The common bile duct is created when the cystic duct combines with the common hepatic duct. 
  • “Hartmann’s pouch” is a mucosal fold formed by an outpouching of the gallbladder wall at the point where the cystic duct and the neck of the gallbladder meet.
  • The cystic node, which is situated between the cystic duct and the common hepatic duct, is followed by the lymphatic drainage of the gallbladder. 
  • Lower hepatic lymph nodes get lymphatic drainage from the organ’s lower portion. Finally, all of the lymph drains into the celiac lymph nodes.

What is gallstone?

  • Gallstones are made of substances that cannot be dissolved and are typically cholesterol or bilirubin—a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin—which can harm the gallbladder. 
  • These can be pretty painful, especially in the upper-right region of the abdomen, and the gallbladder is frequently removed as a treatment (called a cholecystectomy). There are several reasons for the gallbladder’s inflamed or cholecystitis, including infection, inflammatory illness, and gallstone impaction.
  • The bile produced by the liver is absorbed and stored by the common hepatic duct and then distributed into the duodenum, which aids in the breakdown of lipids.

Microanatomy

  • The wall of the gallbladder is made up of many layers. A column of cells with a single layer of microvilli lines the innermost surface of the gallbladder wall. These cells resemble intestine-absorptive cells in many ways. 
  • Lamina propria, a muscle layer, an outer perimuscular layer, and serosa are located underneath the epithelium.
  • The mucosae and discrete layers of muscular fibers are absent from the gallbladder, unlike other parts of the digestive system.
  • The mucosa is curved and gathers into tiny outpouchings called rugae.
  • Under the mucosa, there is a layer of muscles. This is because smooth muscle fibers do not form discrete layers and lie in longitudinal, oblique, and transverse orientations—the muscle fibers in this area contract to expel bile from the gallbladder.
  • The presence of Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses, mucosal outpouchings that are deep and can penetrate the muscle layer and indicate adenomyomatosis, is a distinguishing feature of the gallbladder. A layer of connective and fat tissue surrounds the muscular layer.
  • A substantial serosa that faces the peritoneum, covers the outer layer of the fundus of the gallbladder and the surfaces not in touch with the liver. 
  • The serosa includes blood vessels and lymphatics. The characters in contact with the liver are covered with connective tissue.

Variation

  • It is uncommon for two or even three gallbladders to coexist, either as separate bladders that empty into the cystic duct independently or jointly share a branch that empties into it. 
  • The gallbladder varies in size, shape, and location depending on the individual.
  • The gallbladder might even never develop at all. There may also be gallbladders with two lobes divided by a septum. These anomalies are often asymptomatic and unlikely to have an impact on function.
  • The gallbladder’s position regarding the liver can also differ; examples of these variations include gallbladders inside, above, on the left side of, behind, separated from, or hung from the liver.
  • Such variations are highly uncommon; from 1886 to 1998, only 110 occurrences of left-lying liver were described in the scientific literature, or less than one per year.
  • A harmless fold in the fundus, known as a Phrygian cap because of its similarity to the Phrygian cap, is an anatomical variant that can happen.

Development

  • Early in development, the human embryo contains three germ layers and abuts an embryonic yolk sac.
  • The gallbladder develops from the endodermal outpouching of the embryonic gut tube. 
  • As the embryo develops during the second week of embryogenesis, it encircles and encapsulates parts of this sac.
  • The adult gastrointestinal system is built on the foundation of the enclosed elements. 
  • Parts of this foregut start to develop into the gastrointestinal tract’s organs, including the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.
  • The stomach rotates in the fourth week of embryological development.
  • The stomach, formerly located in the embryo’s middle, turns such that its body is now on the left. 
  • The portion of the gastrointestinal tract that is directly below the stomach and will eventually develop into the duodenum is also affected by this rotation. 
  • The hepatic diverticulum, which will later grow into the biliary tree, starts to protrude from the developing duodenum’s right side at the end of the fourth week. 
  • A second outpouching, the cystic diverticulum, which will eventually grow into the gallbladder, is located just below this.

Function

  • The primary purposes of the gallbladder are to store and concentrate bile, also known as gall, which is necessary for the breakdown of dietary lipids. 
  • Bile is created by the liver and travels through tiny arteries into the larger hepatic ducts before entering the gallbladder, where it is stored via the cystic duct.
  • The gallbladder may hold between 30 and 60 milliliters (1.0 and 2.0 US fl oz) of bile.
  • Cholecystokinin (CCK) is secreted by the cells of the duodenum and jejunum when fat-containing food enters the digestive system.
  • The gallbladder rhythmically constricts in response to cholecystokinin, releasing its contents into the common bile duct, which finally empties into the duodenum. 
  • Bile emulsifies the lipids in partially digested meals, facilitating their absorption. 
  • Bile, which primarily consists of water and bile salts, also serves as a mechanism for the body to expel bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin.
  • The bile released by the gallbladder and the bile kept in the gallbladder is two different substances. 
  • Bile is concentrated 3–10 times during gallbladder storage due to eliminating some water and electrolytes. This is accomplished via the active movement of sodium and chloride ions through the gallbladder epithelium, resulting in an osmotic pressure that also induces water and other electrolyte reabsorption.

Gallbladder Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about the Gallbladder across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching students about the Gallbladder, a small, pear-shaped organ that helps our body digest food and is located in the upper right of the abdomen, beneath the liver.

Gallbladder Worksheets
Gallbladder Worksheets
Gallbladder Worksheets

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Gallbladder Facts
  • My Structure 
  • Empty Space
  • True or False
  • Stages of Development
  • What’s the Difference?
  • A Healthy Gallbladder
  • My Infographic
  • Gallbladder Mache
  • The Gallstone
  • My Recorded Report 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small organ near the liver that plays a vital role in digestion. Its primary function is to store and release bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver, into the small intestine when we eat. Bile helps break down fats in our food, making it easier for our bodies to absorb nutrients.

Can you live without a gallbladder?

Yes, it is possible to live without a gallbladder, and some people have their gallbladder removed surgically if they have problems with gallstones or other gallbladder-related issues. While the gallbladder plays an important role in digestion, the liver can still produce enough bile to help break down fats without a gallbladder.

What are some common problems that can occur with the gallbladder?

One of the most common problems with the gallbladder is the formation of gallstones. These are small, hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder and can cause pain, nausea, and other digestive issues. Other problems that can occur with the gallbladder include inflammation (cholecystitis), infection (cholecystitis), and cancer (gallbladder cancer).

How is a problem with the gallbladder diagnosed?

If you are experiencing symptoms of gallbladder problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, your doctor may order tests to help diagnose the issue. These can include an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI. Blood tests may also be done to check for signs of infection or inflammation.

How are gallbladder problems treated?

The treatment for gallbladder problems depends on the specific issue. If you have gallstones, your doctor may recommend medication to dissolve them or surgery to remove the gallbladder. In cases of inflammation or infection, antibiotics may be prescribed. If you are diagnosed with gallbladder cancer, treatment will depend on the cancer stage and may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

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Link will appear as Gallbladder Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, February 16, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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