What are gallstones? Small rock-like particles that form in your gallbladder are called gallstones. Gallstones are composed of a mix of particles that has formed solid clusters of cholesterol or bile. These stones grow as part of the process when bile from the liver passes through your gallbladder. Most of the time they are miniscule and pass through the intestines and out of our bodies and we never know they existed. Gallstones become a problem when they become trapped in a narrow outlet from the gallbladder or somewhere in the intestines. This results in pain. It can also cause a buildup of bile, infection or pancreatitis.
So why is this important? Your gallbladder is a small organ located beneath your liver. Its function is to collect and store bile that has been made by your liver. Bile is a part of your digestive processes. It is thick, greenish–yellow and bitter in liquid form. Bile salts, electrolytes, cholesterol, bilirubin and other fats are found naturally in the viscous form of bile. |
