REACTION OF GALL BLADDER TO STIMULATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

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Abstract
Faradic stimulation of the pars pylorica of the stomach induces sudden contraction of the relaxed gall bladder and ejection of bile into the cystic duct. Hunger contractions of the stomach occur synchronously with rhythmic contractions of the gall bladder and probably account for the periodic emptying of the gall bladder during fasting. When the gall bladder is emptying after a meal of egg-yolk, faradic stimulation of the stomach, pylorus, small intestine or cecum temporarily inhibits the emptying of the gall bladder. These observations confirm the existence of a reflex pathway extending from the splanchnic area to the gall bladder. It is suggested that dysfunction and stasis of the gall bladder (with the consequent formation of gall stones) may be due in part to inhibitory reflexes arising from chronically diseased portions of the gastro-intestinal tract.