Gallbladder Disease: Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis
Stephanie Joyce MD
July 29, 2026
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped, sac-like organ located beneath the liver that plays a critical role in the digestive process by storing and concentrating bile. While seemingly minor, gallbladder dysfunction is one of the most common reasons for emergency surgical consultation, and women are twice as likely to develop issue. When the chemical balance of bile is disrupted, it forms precipitates known as gallstones, which can lead to inflammation, infection, or structural blockage.
