gallbladder

noun

gall·​blad·​der ˈgȯl-ˌbla-dər 

plural gallbladders

: a membranous muscular sac in which bile from the liver is concentrated and stored before being passed to the intestinal duodenum

After a meal, the gallbladder contracts and injects several tablespoons of bile into the small intestines, where the detergent-like bile salts break up fats.

—David Schardt

For reasons not yet entirely clear, many people, women more often than men, are predisposed to forming stones in their gallbladder.

—Sherwin B. Nuland

Examples of gallbladder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Internal organ infections or conditions: Inflammation or infection in the kidneys, gallbladder, or pancreas can radiate to your back, causing pain. —Brandi Jones, Health, 2 July 2025

The clinic also says E. coli cases can lead to prostate, bloodstream or gallbladder infections and, in rare cases, pneumonia and meningitis. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Dan's sudden death in 1972 from a pulmonary embolism following gallbladder surgery shocked fans and castmates alike. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 29 June 2025

The most common symptom of a gallbladder attack is pain, which:6 Is located in the upper right or central abdomen, shoulder blades, or in the right shoulder. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

gall entry 1 + bladder

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gallbladder

• stepladder
• adder
• bladder
• ladder
• madder
• sadder

Kids Definition

gallbladder

noun

gall·​blad·​der ˈgȯl-ˌblad-ər 

: a muscular sac in which bile from the liver is stored

Medical Definition

gallbladder

noun

gall·​blad·​der ˈgȯl-ˌblad-ər 

: a membranous muscular sac in which bile from the liver is concentrated and stored before being passed to the duodenum

Gallstones are made of cholesterol, a normal component of the bile stored in the gallbladder.

—D. Shiga, Science News

Removal of the gallbladder—a pear-shaped sac in the right side of your abdomen—has little adverse effect on digestion. After surgery, bile flows directly from your liver to your small intestine rather than being stored first in your gallbladder.

—Mayo Clinic Health Letter