The fundus of the gallbladder is the dome-shaped upper portion. It’s located on the right side of the abdomen, just under the liver. The fundus is the widest part of the gallbladder and it stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver that helps digest fats. The gallbladder contracts to release bile into the small intestine when food is consumed.
Morphological Features of the Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located on the underside of the liver. It serves as a storage and concentration point for bile produced by the liver. Understanding its morphological features is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder-related conditions.
Parts of the Gallbladder
- Fundus: The rounded, blind end of the gallbladder located opposite the cystic duct.
- Body: The central portion of the gallbladder that connects the fundus to the neck.
- Neck: The narrow end of the gallbladder that joins the cystic duct.
- Cystic Duct: A short tube that carries bile from the gallbladder to the common bile duct.
- Serosal Layer: The outermost layer of the gallbladder, continuous with the peritoneum covering the liver.
- Muscular Layer: A thin layer of smooth muscle that allows for contraction of the gallbladder.
- Mucosal Layer: The innermost layer lining the gallbladder and containing folds called rugae that increase its surface area.
| Measurement | Average Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 7-10 cm |
| Width | 3-4 cm |
| Volume | 30-50 mL |
| Wall Thickness | 1-2 mm |
Anatomical Location of the Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just beneath the liver. It is attached to the underside of the liver by a ligament called the hepatoduodenal ligament.
The gallbladder consists of three main parts:
- The fundus is the rounded, blind-ended portion of the gallbladder that projects downward from the main body.
- The body is the main, central portion of the gallbladder.
- The neck is the narrow, funnel-shaped portion of the gallbladder that connects to the common bile duct.
The gallbladder stores bile, a substance produced by the liver that helps to digest fats. When food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts and releases bile into the common bile duct, which carries it to the intestine.
| Part of Gallbladder | Description |
|---|---|
| Fundus | The rounded, blind-ended portion that projects downward from the main body. |
| Body | The main, central portion of the gallbladder. |
| Neck | The narrow, funnel-shaped portion that connects to the common bile duct. |
Regions of the Gallbladder Wall
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. The gallbladder is located on the underside of the liver, and it is divided into four regions:
- Fundus: The fundus is the rounded end of the gallbladder that is located on the right side of the organ.
- Body: The body is the main portion of the gallbladder that is located between the fundus and the neck.
- Neck: The neck is the narrow end of the gallbladder that connects the body to the cystic duct.
- Infundibulum: The infundibulum is a small, funnel-shaped structure that is located at the junction of the neck and the cystic duct.
The gallbladder wall is composed of three layers:
- Mucosa: The mucosa is the innermost layer of the gallbladder wall. It is lined with epithelial cells that produce mucin, a substance that protects the gallbladder from bile acids.
- Muscularis: The muscularis is the middle layer of the gallbladder wall. It is composed of smooth muscle cells that contract to expel bile from the gallbladder.
- Serosa: The serosa is the outermost layer of the gallbladder wall. It is a thin layer of connective tissue that covers the gallbladder and helps to hold it in place.
| Layer | Description |
|---|---|
| Mucosa | Innermost layer, lined with epithelial cells that produce mucin |
| Muscularis | Middle layer, composed of smooth muscle cells that contract to expel bile |
| Serosa | Outermost layer, a thin layer of connective tissue that covers the gallbladder and helps to hold it in place |
Fundus and Apex of the Bladder
The bladder is a muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity. It stores and releases urine through the urethra.
Fundus
- The fundus is the superior, dome-shaped portion of the bladder.
- In males, it is located behind the pubic bone and above the prostate gland.
- In females, it is located behind the pubic bone and in front of the uterus.
Apex
- The apex is the inferior, funnel-shaped portion of the bladder.
- It is connected to the urethra.
| Fundus | Apex |
|---|---|
| Superior | Inferior |
| Dome-shaped | Funnel-shaped |
| Behind the pubic bone | Connected to the urethra |
Alright, folks! That’s all for today’s anatomy adventure. We hope you’ve enjoyed this little trip to the depths of the gallbladder. It’s been a pleasure sharing this knowledge with you. Feel free to come back anytime for more intriguing medical explorations. We’re always here, eager to quench your thirst for knowledge. Thanks for reading, and stay curious!