Page 1 of 2 Gallstones are solidified materials that form inside
the gallbladder, and may be small little specks or be as large
as the gallbladder itself. Gallstones form when bile solidifies
and hardens under certain disease conditions. Bile is the
yellowish liquid that is secreted by the liver, and stored in
the gallbladder. It contains water, cholesterol, fats, bile
salts, proteins and bilirubin, and is responsible mainly for the
emulsification of dietary fat. What Is The Gallbladder, And What
Are Its Functions? The gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac with a
muscular wall, measuring 5-15cm long, located under the liver on
the upper right side of the abdominal cavity. It is connected by
the cystic duct to the bile duct, which is a tube connecting the
liver to the small intestine (duodenum) allowing the passage of
bile for digestion. When the bile is not required, it flows into
the gallbladder, which acts like a bile reservoir. During a
meal, the gallbladder contracts, allowing the passage of bile
into duodenum