Gallbladder facts for kids
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ found in your tummy area, called the abdomen. It's like a tiny storage tank for a special liquid called bile. This bile helps your body break down and digest the fats in the food you eat.
Contents
What is the Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is about 7 to 10 centimeters long in humans, which is roughly the size of your thumb. It looks dark green because of the bile it holds. It can store about 50 milliliters of this important digestive liquid.
Where is it Located?
Your gallbladder is tucked away right under your liver. It's connected to your liver and another part of your small intestine called the duodenum through a network of tiny tubes called the biliary tract. These tubes are like highways for the bile.
What Does the Gallbladder Do?
When you eat a meal, especially one with fats, your body signals the gallbladder. It then squeezes out the stored bile into your small intestine. This bile mixes with your food and helps break down fats into tiny pieces. This makes it easier for your body to absorb nutrients from the food.
Images for kids
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Micrograph of a normal gallbladder wall. H&E stain.
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Abdominal ultrasonography showing gallbladder and common bile duct
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3D still showing gallstones
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Abdominal ultrasonography showing biliary sludge and gallstones
See also
In Spanish: Vesícula biliar para niños
