{"id":5380,"date":"2025-12-08T22:51:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T03:51:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=5380"},"modified":"2026-01-12T18:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T23:38:38","slug":"gallbladder-disorders","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/chapter\/gallbladder-disorders\/","title":{"raw":"10p13  Gallbladder Disorders","rendered":"10p13  Gallbladder Disorders"},"content":{"raw":"<strong>Gallbladder Disorders:\u00a0 Gallstones and Related Conditions<\/strong>\r\n<h1><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Gallstones (Cholelithiasis):<\/strong>\u00a0Formation of stones in the gallbladder.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The term\u00a0<strong>cholelithiasis<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Chole-<\/strong>: pertains to\u00a0<strong>cholesterol<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Lith<\/strong>: means\u00a0<strong>stone<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Gallstones<\/strong>\u00a0form when bile becomes\u00a0<strong>dehydrated<\/strong>\u00a0and concentrates, often mixing with calcium.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Normal Gallbladder Function<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Stores\u00a0<strong>bile<\/strong>, which is primarily\u00a0<strong>cholesterol<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>bilirubin pigment<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Bile <strong>emulsifies<\/strong> fats in digestion.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Located in the\u00a0<strong>right upper quadrant<\/strong>\u00a0of the abdomen.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Formation of Gallstones<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Dehydration of bile<\/strong>\u00a0causes\u00a0<strong>precipitation<\/strong>\u00a0of cholesterol and pigments.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Pigment gallstones<\/strong>: formed from\u00a0<strong>bilirubin<\/strong>, a breakdown product of hemoglobin.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Small stones<\/strong>\u00a0may pass unnoticed (<strong>silent<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Large stones<\/strong>\u00a0can cause\u00a0<strong>obstructions<\/strong>\u00a0and severe pain.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Types of Gallstones &amp; Their Locations<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cholesterol stones<\/strong>: most common.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Pigment stones<\/strong>: related to hemolysis.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Obstructions &amp; Symptoms<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Small stones<\/strong>\u00a0may pass easily.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Large stones<\/strong>\u00a0can lodge in:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cystic duct<\/strong>: causes\u00a0<strong>cholelithiasis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Common bile duct<\/strong>: causes\u00a0<strong>choledocholithiasis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Symptoms:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Severe colicky pain<\/strong>\u00a0in the right upper quadrant.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pain worsens after\u00a0<strong>fatty meals<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Pain may radiate to\u00a0<strong>shoulder<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Causes and Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>High cholesterol<\/strong>\u00a0intake.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Obesity<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Multiple pregnancies (<strong>hormonal changes<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Estrogen<\/strong>\u00a0therapy or oral contraceptives.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Hemolysis<\/strong>\u00a0(excess bilirubin production).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Liver cirrhosis<\/strong>\u00a0(damage affects bile production).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Biliary infections<\/strong>\u00a0causing bile stasis and dehydration.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Increased abdominal pressure<\/strong>\u00a0(pregnancy, obesity).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Pathophysiology<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Dehydrated bile<\/strong>\u00a0forms\u00a0<strong>precipitates<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Stagnant bile<\/strong>\u00a0promotes\u00a0<strong>stone formation<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Fatty meals<\/strong>\u00a0stimulate\u00a0<strong>gallbladder contractions<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Contraction can cause:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Obstruction<\/strong>\u00a0by stones.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Peristalsis<\/strong>\u00a0against stones causes\u00a0<strong>colicky pain<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Irritation<\/strong>\u00a0leads to\u00a0<strong>leukocytosis<\/strong>\u00a0(white blood cell increase) and\u00a0<strong>fever<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Complications<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Inflammation<\/strong> of the gallbladder (<strong>cholecystitis<\/strong>).<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Gallbladder rupture<\/strong>: bile spills into the <strong>peritoneal cavity<\/strong>, causing <strong>peritonitis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bile duct obstruction<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Causes\u00a0<strong>jaundice<\/strong>\u00a0(yellowing of skin\/eyes).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Can block the\u00a0<strong>pancreatic duct<\/strong>, causing\u00a0<strong>pancreatitis<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Blockage of pancreatic enzymes<\/strong>\u00a0can damage the pancreas.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Imaging<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Ultrasound<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Cholangiography<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Blood tests<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Elevated\u00a0<strong>white blood cells<\/strong>\u00a0(infection).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Liver function tests for\u00a0<strong>jaundice<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Treatment<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Surgical removal<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Laparoscopic cholecystectomy<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)<\/strong>\u00a0for smaller stones.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Medications<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Low-fat diet (hepatobiliary diet)<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Bile acids<\/strong>\u00a0(dissolution therapy) in some cases.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Prevention<\/strong>:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Avoid high cholesterol and obesity.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Manage risk factors such as pregnancy and infections.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h1>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li><strong>Gallstones<\/strong> develop when bile concentrates and precipitates.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Blockages lead to pain, inflammation, and potential complications like pancreatitis or jaundice.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Treatment<\/strong> involves surgical removal of gallstones and lifestyle modifications to prevent recurrence.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"<p><strong>Gallbladder Disorders:\u00a0 Gallstones and Related Conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n<h1><strong>Overview<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gallstones (Cholelithiasis):<\/strong>\u00a0Formation of stones in the gallbladder.<\/li>\n<li>The term\u00a0<strong>cholelithiasis<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Chole-<\/strong>: pertains to\u00a0<strong>cholesterol<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lith<\/strong>: means\u00a0<strong>stone<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gallstones<\/strong>\u00a0form when bile becomes\u00a0<strong>dehydrated<\/strong>\u00a0and concentrates, often mixing with calcium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Normal Gallbladder Function<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li>Stores\u00a0<strong>bile<\/strong>, which is primarily\u00a0<strong>cholesterol<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>bilirubin pigment<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Bile <strong>emulsifies<\/strong> fats in digestion.<\/li>\n<li>Located in the\u00a0<strong>right upper quadrant<\/strong>\u00a0of the abdomen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Formation of Gallstones<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dehydration of bile<\/strong>\u00a0causes\u00a0<strong>precipitation<\/strong>\u00a0of cholesterol and pigments.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pigment gallstones<\/strong>: formed from\u00a0<strong>bilirubin<\/strong>, a breakdown product of hemoglobin.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Small stones<\/strong>\u00a0may pass unnoticed (<strong>silent<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Large stones<\/strong>\u00a0can cause\u00a0<strong>obstructions<\/strong>\u00a0and severe pain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Types of Gallstones &amp; Their Locations<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cholesterol stones<\/strong>: most common.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Pigment stones<\/strong>: related to hemolysis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Obstructions &amp; Symptoms<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Small stones<\/strong>\u00a0may pass easily.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Large stones<\/strong>\u00a0can lodge in:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Cystic duct<\/strong>: causes\u00a0<strong>cholelithiasis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Common bile duct<\/strong>: causes\u00a0<strong>choledocholithiasis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Symptoms:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Severe colicky pain<\/strong>\u00a0in the right upper quadrant.<\/li>\n<li>Pain worsens after\u00a0<strong>fatty meals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Pain may radiate to\u00a0<strong>shoulder<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Causes and Risk Factors<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>High cholesterol<\/strong>\u00a0intake.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Obesity<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Multiple pregnancies (<strong>hormonal changes<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Estrogen<\/strong>\u00a0therapy or oral contraceptives.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hemolysis<\/strong>\u00a0(excess bilirubin production).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Liver cirrhosis<\/strong>\u00a0(damage affects bile production).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biliary infections<\/strong>\u00a0causing bile stasis and dehydration.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Increased abdominal pressure<\/strong>\u00a0(pregnancy, obesity).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Pathophysiology<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Dehydrated bile<\/strong>\u00a0forms\u00a0<strong>precipitates<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Stagnant bile<\/strong>\u00a0promotes\u00a0<strong>stone formation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fatty meals<\/strong>\u00a0stimulate\u00a0<strong>gallbladder contractions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Contraction can cause:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Obstruction<\/strong>\u00a0by stones.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Peristalsis<\/strong>\u00a0against stones causes\u00a0<strong>colicky pain<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Irritation<\/strong>\u00a0leads to\u00a0<strong>leukocytosis<\/strong>\u00a0(white blood cell increase) and\u00a0<strong>fever<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Complications<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Inflammation<\/strong> of the gallbladder (<strong>cholecystitis<\/strong>).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gallbladder rupture<\/strong>: bile spills into the <strong>peritoneal cavity<\/strong>, causing <strong>peritonitis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bile duct obstruction<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Causes\u00a0<strong>jaundice<\/strong>\u00a0(yellowing of skin\/eyes).<\/li>\n<li>Can block the\u00a0<strong>pancreatic duct<\/strong>, causing\u00a0<strong>pancreatitis<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blockage of pancreatic enzymes<\/strong>\u00a0can damage the pancreas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Diagnosis<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Imaging<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Ultrasound<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cholangiography<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Blood tests<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Elevated\u00a0<strong>white blood cells<\/strong>\u00a0(infection).<\/li>\n<li>Liver function tests for\u00a0<strong>jaundice<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Treatment<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Surgical removal<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Laparoscopic cholecystectomy<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)<\/strong>\u00a0for smaller stones.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Medications<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Low-fat diet (hepatobiliary diet)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Bile acids<\/strong>\u00a0(dissolution therapy) in some cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prevention<\/strong>:\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid high cholesterol and obesity.<\/li>\n<li>Manage risk factors such as pregnancy and infections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1><strong>Summary<\/strong><\/h1>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gallstones<\/strong> develop when bile concentrates and precipitates.<\/li>\n<li>Blockages lead to pain, inflammation, and potential complications like pancreatitis or jaundice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Treatment<\/strong> involves surgical removal of gallstones and lifestyle modifications to prevent recurrence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"author":1370,"menu_order":16,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":["zoe-soon"],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[60],"license":[],"class_list":["post-5380","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry","contributor-zoe-soon"],"part":67,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1370"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5380\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5384,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5380\/revisions\/5384"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/67"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/5380\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=5380"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=5380"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/pathophysiology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=5380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}