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Related Concept Videos

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Cholecystitis01:20

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Gallbladder01:17

Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that plays a crucial role in our digestive system. Measuring about 10 cm in length, it is comparable in size to a kiwi fruit and is located in a hollow area on the lower surface of the liver. The gallbladder's primary function is to store and concentrate bile, a fluid produced by the liver that aids in digestion.
The gallbladder's anatomy consists of three regions: the fundus, body, and neck. Extending from the neck, the cystic duct joins the common...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Jaundice01:25

Jaundice

Jaundice, or icterus, is the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclerae, and mucous membranes. It happens when plasma bilirubin levels rise above 2.5-3 mg/dL, leading to bilirubin deposition in tissue.Bilirubin is a byproduct of hemoglobin degradation. In macrophages, hemoglobin breaks down into globin and heme. Globin is converted into amino acids, while heme is turned into biliverdin by heme oxygenase, which is then reduced to unconjugated bilirubin by biliverdin reductase.Unconjugated...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Laparoscopic Left Lateral Sectionectomy: Guided by the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis and the Umbilical Fissure Vein
03:33

Laparoscopic Left Lateral Sectionectomy: Guided by the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis and the Umbilical Fissure Vein

Published on: September 27, 2024

Hereditary liver disease: gallstones.

Henning Wittenburg1

  • 1University of Leipzig, Department of Internal Medicine, Neurology and Dermatology, Division of Gastroenterology and Rheumatology, Liebigstr. 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. henning.wittenburg@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|October 20, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Gallstones, common in Western nations, cause pain and complications, burdening healthcare. Understanding cholesterol vs. bilirubin gallstone formation and genetic/environmental risk factors is key for management.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Laparoscopic Left Lateral Sectionectomy: Guided by the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis and the Umbilical Fissure Vein
03:33

Laparoscopic Left Lateral Sectionectomy: Guided by the Ligamentum Teres Hepatis and the Umbilical Fissure Vein

Published on: September 27, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Hepatology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Gallstones represent a significant health burden, particularly in Western countries, leading to pain and complications.
  • Two primary types exist: cholesterol gallstones and bilirubin gallstones, each with distinct formation mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate the formation pathways of cholesterol and bilirubin gallstones.
  • To elucidate the contributing factors to gallstone formation, including genetic and environmental influences.
  • To outline the recommended management strategies for symptomatic and asymptomatic gallstones.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on gallstone pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of the biophysical and biochemical conditions leading to gallstone precipitation.
  • Examination of genetic and environmental risk factors associated with gallstone disease.

Main Results:

  • Bilirubin gallstones form when unconjugated bilirubin and calcium exceed bile's solubilization capacity.
  • Cholesterol gallstones require supersaturation of cholesterol, gallbladder hypomotility, and a mucin matrix.
  • Individual risk is influenced by lithogenic gene alleles and environmental factors.

Conclusions:

  • Gallstone formation is a multifactorial process involving bile composition, gallbladder function, and host susceptibility.
  • Asymptomatic gallstones warrant expectant management, while symptomatic cases necessitate cholecystectomy due to complication risks.