Bile, a yellowish-green fluid produced by the liver, plays a crucial role in fat digestion. Its journey is as follows:
The Path of Bile: From Liver to Small Intestine
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Liver Production: The liver continuously produces bile.
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Gallbladder Storage and Concentration: Most bile flows from the liver via the common hepatic duct and cystic duct to the gallbladder. Here, it is stored and concentrated until needed. [The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile from the liver.]* [Source: InformedHealth.org]
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Release into the Duodenum: When food containing fat enters the digestive system, hormones signal the gallbladder to release bile into the common bile duct. This duct then delivers the bile to the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). [The bile is then released into the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum), where it helps your body to break down and absorb fats from food.] [Source: InformedHealth.org]
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Fat Digestion and Absorption: In the duodenum, bile emulsifies fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets, making it easier for enzymes to digest them. The digested fats are then absorbed into the bloodstream.
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Enterohepatic Circulation: Some bile salts escape absorption in the small intestine and travel to the large intestine. Here, bacteria break them down, and some are reabsorbed into the bloodstream, returning to the liver to be reused. This continuous recycling is called the enterohepatic circulation. [Each time, small amounts of bile salts escape absorption and reach the large intestine, where they are broken down by bacteria. Some bile salts are reabsorbed…] [Source: Merck Manual]
Exceptions and Variations:
- Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy): If the gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly from the liver into the duodenum via the common bile duct. This can sometimes lead to increased bile reflux. [People who have had their gallbladders removed have significantly more bile reflux than do people who haven't had this surgery.] [Source: Mayo Clinic]
In summary, bile's primary destination is the duodenum, where it aids in fat digestion and absorption. A portion is recycled through the enterohepatic circulation.
