THE MECHANISM OF THE GALLBLADDER AND ITS RELATION TO CHOLELITHIASIS

Abstract

It is generally agreed that bile from the gallbladder is delivered into the intestine after the ingestion of food, ¹ but opinions differ widely as to the degree of evacuation and the mechanism involved.² There are two views as to the mechanism; one, most commonly held, that emptying is a passive process depending on external pressure ³ and elasticity of the viscus;⁴ the other, that the contents of the gallbladder are forced out by the action of its musculature.⁵ There are two views also as to the degree of emptying of the gallbladder. Some contend that it is never completely empty, ⁶ and others that its entire contents may be evacuated following a meal, ⁷ especially of fat.⁸ There is further difference of opinion as to the relationship between the gallbladder and the sphincter of the common bile duct. The generally accepted view is that there