What does the gallbladder store?

The gallbladder stores bile, which is a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Bile plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. When you eat a meal that contains fat, the gallbladder contracts and releases stored bile into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. This release of bile emulsifies fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets that can be more easily digested by enzymes.

In contrast, sodium bicarbonate is produced by the pancreas and is used to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine; insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels; and chyme is the semi-liquid mass of partially digested food that moves from the stomach into the small intestine, but it is not stored in the gallbladder. Collectively, these details underscore the importance of bile in the digestive process and highlight the specific function of the gallbladder in storing this vital substance.