Ox gall, the fresh gall of the domestic ox; -- used in the arts and in
medicine.
The Function of the Gall Bladder
Because fat cannot be dissolved in water, a special system has evolved for
its digestion and its absorption through the intestinal wall. Bile is an
essential factor in this, since it contains substances that allow fats to be
emulsified. It also stimulates the secretion of an enzyme concerned with the breakdown
of fats. Bile is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder until
needed. When fat is eaten, this stimulates the gallbladder to contract and bile
flows down the cystic duct, into the common bile duct and through the ampulla
of Vater into the intestine. As well as acting as a storage vessel, the
gallbladder concentrates the bile within it by removing water through its wall.
Thus, if the gallbladder is removed, although bile still flows into the intestine
from the liver, fat digestion may be less efficient because the bile is not
concentrated.
Received on Mon Feb 16 09:17:51 2004
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