The liver is the organ that controls bile production.
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver that aids in the digestion of fats in the small intestine. While the liver produces the bile, the gallbladder stores the bile after it's made.
Here's a breakdown of the roles of the liver and gallbladder in the bile production and digestion process:
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Liver: The liver cells (hepatocytes) constantly synthesize bile. This bile is then secreted into small bile ducts within the liver.
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Gallbladder: About 50% of the bile produced by the liver is stored in the gallbladder. This pear-shaped organ sits directly beneath the liver. The gallbladder concentrates the bile by removing water.
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Digestion: When you eat, especially fatty foods, the gallbladder contracts and releases the concentrated bile into the small intestine (specifically, the duodenum) through the common bile duct. The bile emulsifies fats, breaking them down into smaller globules, which makes it easier for enzymes (like lipase) to digest them.
Therefore, while the gallbladder plays a storage and concentration role, the liver is the organ responsible for the production of bile.
