ANATOMY OF THE GALLBLADDER

ANATOMY OF THE GALLBLADDER

• The gallbladder is a pear-shaped, hollow organ located beneath the liver.
• Function: Stores and concentrates bile, which aids in fat digestion.
• Capacity: ~30-50 mL of bile.

LOCATION
• Lies in the gallbladder fossa on the inferior surface of the liver.
• Positioned between the right and quadrate lobes of the liver.

PARTS OF THE GALLBLADDER
• Fundus – Rounded, anterior part that extends beyond the liver’s margin.
• Body – Main part, lies in contact with the liver.
• Neck – Narrow, funnel-shaped part leading to the cystic duct.

o The HARTMANN’S POUCH is a small outpouching near the neck, where gallstones commonly lodge.

DUCT SYSTEM (BILIARY TRACT)
• Cystic Duct connects the gallbladder to the common hepatic duct, forming the common bile duct (CBD).
• The CBD joins the pancreatic duct and drains into the duodenum (ampulla of Vater).
• The sphincter of Oddi regulates bile flow into the intestine.

BLOOD SUPPLY AND VENOUS DRAINAGE
• Arterial Supply:
o Cystic artery, a branch of the right hepatic artery.
• Venous Drainage:
o Cystic veins drain into the portal vein.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
• Lymph drains into the cystic lymph node, then to the hepatic and celiac lymph nodes.

NERVE SUPPLY
• Parasympathetic (Stimulatory) – Vagus nerve (CN X) → Stimulates bile release.
• Sympathetic (Inhibitory) – Celiac plexus → Controls gallbladder contractions.
• Sensory Innervation – Right phrenic nerve, pain refers to the right shoulder.

CLINICAL CORRELATIONS

• Cholecystitis (Gallbladder Inflammation)
o Commonly due to gallstones blocking the cystic duct.
o Symptoms: Severe right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, fever, nausea.

• Gallbladder Carcinoma
o Rare but highly aggressive cancer.
o Associated with chronic gallstone disease.

• Murphy’s Sign
o Pain during deep inspiration when palpating the RUQ → Suggests acute cholecystitis.