The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ in the upper-right abdomen. It stores and releases bile, which is a liquid the liver produces, to support digestion by helping to break down fats.
The digestive system contains many organs, such as the liver, pancreas, stomach, intestines, and appendix, that help people break down and absorb nutrients from their food.
As food moves from the mouth, through the esophagus, and into the intestines and stomach, different juices and substances help the body absorb various nutrients.
The gallbladder plays a vital role in that process. However, when some gallbladder problems occur, a surgeon may need to remove it. While the digestive system can function well without the gallbladder, this small organ has a clear purpose in digesting food and distributing digestive juices.
Gallbladder definition
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped, hollow organTrusted Source that is part of the biliary system. Some doctors refer to this system as the biliary tract or biliary tree. The biliary system consists of openings in the gallbladder, liver, and pancreas that empty bile and other digestive fluids into the digestive tract.
The organ is small, measuring 7 to 10 centimeters (cm)Trusted Source long and around 4 cm wide. It sits in the upper right part of the abdomen and attaches to the bottom of the liver.
Gallbladder function
The primary function of the gallbladder is to store bile. The liver produces bileTrusted Source to help the digestive system break down and absorb fats, as water cannot dissolve fats. Bile also supports the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.
While storing bile, the gallbladder also makes it more concentrated. This means it becomes more effective at digesting fats and vitamins once the gallbladder releases bile into the digestive system.
Can a person live without a gallbladder?
Gallbladder removal is one of the most commonTrusted Source modern surgeries, according to a 2023 review. As the gallbladder is not an essential organ, people can live full and active lives without it.
The liver still produces bile. However, instead of using the gallbladder to store bile, the substance drips from the liver into the digestive system in a regular flow. A doctor may recommend following dietary changes, such as avoiding foods that can irritate the gut, following gallbladder removal.
Eating a nutritious diet can support ongoing digestive health without a gallbladder. Certain foods may trigger bloating or diarrhea immediately after gallbladder removal, although these symptoms tend to improve over time. If they continue to trigger symptoms, a person may benefit from excluding these foods from their diet in the future.
Common gallbladder conditions
Several health problems and complications can affect how the gallbladder works, including gallstones, cholecystitis, and cholangitis. An abdominal ultrasound can diagnoseTrusted Source most gallbladder problems.
GallstonesTrusted Source and cholecystitisTrusted Source are more common in females, but cholangitis affects males and females equallyTrusted Source. Of the 20 million people in the United States with gallbladder disease, roughly 14 millionTrusted Source of them are female.
Gallstones
Gallstones are hard lumps that can block the bile ductsTrusted Source. They usually consist of bilirubin, a pigment that gives bile its yellow color, or hardened cholesterol, a blood fat. Gallstone blockage can cause upper-right abdominal pain, also known as biliary colic. Medical treatment is necessary for gallstones if they cause biliary colic.
Some gallstones, known as silent gallstones, do not cause pain or blockages. These do not need medical treatment. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK), 10 to 15% of all people in the United States have gallstones. Around 25% of people with gallstones will need treatment.
Cholecystitis
This term describes inflammation of the gallbladder. The most common cause of cholecystitis is gallstones blocking the cystic duct. This can lead to inflammation as bile backs up. However, cholecystitis can develop without gallstones due to other causes, such as biliary sludge, damage to the gallbladder, or an infection.
Cholangitis
This refers to bile duct inflammation, which usually occurs due to infection. An obstruction in the biliary system can lead to bacteria overgrowth.
In the U.S., fewer than 200,000 people per year develop cholangitis. Around 6 to 9%Trusted Source of people with gallstones also get bile duct infections, and this largely occurs in people aged 50 to 60 years.
What are the symptoms of gallbladder problems?
Common symptoms of gallbladder problems include:Trusted Source
abdominal pain, typically in the upper right or middle
fever
nausea and vomiting
jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and eye whites
pale or clay-colored stools
The symptoms may point to any issue with the gallbladder or other conditions such as appendicitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, or ulcers. These are all health problems that require prompt medical attention, so reporting to a doctor for urgent attention can reduce the risk of complications.
In cholangitis, doctors look for three symptoms known as the Charcot triad:Trusted Source
jaundice
fever
pain in the upper right abdomen
An individual with cholangitis may also show signs of shock and changes in mental function. A doctor would then call this the Reynolds pentad.
Treatment for gallbladder issues
For most gallstones that cause symptoms, a doctor often recommends cholecystectomyTrusted Source, or gallbladder removal. People recover rapidly and can usually leave the hospital on the day of the procedure.
If a person develops cholecystitis, they may need to fast for up to a week while receiving fluids and pain relief medications in the hospital before surgery. Surgery for cholecystitis often takes place within a week of confirming a cholecystitis diagnosis.
Doctors treat cholangitis with antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, broad-spectrum penicillins, or carbapenems. They will admit an individual into the hospital to drain fluids from and relieve pressure on the bile ducts. To drain fluids, a doctor will typically use the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure.
Summary
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits below the liver in the upper-right section of the abdomen, storing and releasing bile to break down fats and certain vitamins.
Blockages, inflammation, or infection of the gallbladder or bile ducts can lead to several health problems, including gallstones, cholecystitis, and cholangitis. These often cause upper-right abdominal pain, fever, jaundice, nausea, and vomiting.
For some gallbladder problems, a surgeon may need to remove the gallbladder. However, the digestive system can still function after gallbladder removal, and a person may live normally without the organ. For cholangitis, a surgeon may need to drain fluids from the bile ducts to reduce pressure.
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