Pear-shaped organ storing and concentrating bile
Expansion
Gallbladder
Purpose
Assess for stones, wall thickness, and distension
Clinical Context
Gallbladder normal: thin wall less than 3 millimetres, fusiform shape, less than 10 centimetres length, no stones, emptying post-cholecystokinin. Pathology shows stones, polyps, wall thickening (cholecystitis, adenomyosis).
Related Terms
- Cystic duct
- Biliary system
Key Points
- Gallbladder wall normal less than 3 millimetres; greater than 4 millimetres suggests cholecystitis