Bile, which plays a crucial role in digestion, is not produced in the stomach. Instead, it is produced by the liver.
Bile Production and Storage
The liver is responsible for synthesizing bile, a fluid that helps with the digestion and absorption of fats.
- Liver's Role: The liver produces a significant amount of bile daily, roughly 800 to 1,000 milliliters (27 to 34 fluid ounces).
- Storage: Bile is not stored in the liver; instead, it's stored in the gallbladder, a small organ attached to the underside of the liver.
- Release: During meals, particularly when there is fat present, the gallbladder releases the bile through a tube called the common bile duct into the small intestine.
Why This is Important
The process of bile production and release is vital for effective digestion:
- Fat Emulsification: Bile helps break down fats into smaller droplets, increasing their surface area so enzymes can act more efficiently.
- Absorption: This process allows the fats and fat-soluble vitamins to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
In summary, stomach bile, which is more accurately referred to as simply "bile", is produced by the liver, stored in the gallbladder, and then released into the small intestine to aid in digestion.
