[Gallbladder contraction]

The study of gallbladder motor function has increased due to the development of the new exploratory techniques and by the resurgence of the theory that points out the importance of abnormalities of gallbladder motility in the origin of gallstones. This paper reviews the anatomical and functional basis of gallbladder contraction, its neurohormonal control and the physiological, pharmacological and pathological factors that influence its emptying and produced stasis. The information obtained by different methods used to investigate gallbladder motility and the consequences of its motor dysfunction are analyzed.