What is the function of the gallbladder? Physiological functions of the gallbladder

In fact, many people do not understand the role of the gallbladder, but in fact the gallbladder has many functions. It can buffer the pressure of the bile duct and help protect the bile duct mucosa to avoid erosion and dissolution by concentrated bile.

(1) Storing bile : When a person is hungry (i.e. not in the digestive period), bile is stored in the gallbladder. When digestion is needed, the bile is discharged from the gallbladder, so the gallbladder is called the "bile warehouse." At the same time, it also plays a role in buffering bile duct pressure.

(2) Concentrated bile : Most of the water and electrolytes in the golden alkaline hepatic bile are absorbed by the gallbladder mucosa and returned to the blood, leaving the effective ingredients in the bile to be stored in the gallbladder, turning into brown or dark green weakly acidic gallbladder bile.

(3) Mucus secretion : The gallbladder mucosa can secrete 20 ml of thick mucus every day to protect the bile duct mucosa from erosion and dissolution by concentrated bile.

(4) Emptying : 3 to 5 minutes after eating, food passes through the duodenum and stimulates the duodenal mucosa to produce a hormone called cholecystokinin, which causes the gallbladder to contract and immediately discharge the bile in the gallbladder into the duodenum to aid in the digestion and absorption of fat. At the same time as the bile is discharged, the bacteria in the bile duct are also discharged from the body. Generally speaking, the gallbladder can be emptied half an hour after eating fat.