THE MECHANISM OF THE GALLBLADDER AND ITS RELATION TO CHOLELITHIASIS

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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