Cholecystitis Essay

Cholecystitis is defined as inflammation of the gallbladder, most often caused by gallstones obstructing the neck or cystic duct of the gallbladder, causing the build-up of bile leading to increased pressure and subsequent inflammation of the organ (Kimura et al., 2013). The most common form of cholecystitis is known as calculous cholecystitis, which is most often caused by gallstones or biliary sludge obstructing the cystic duct, however other less common causes such as benign and metastatic tumors, parasites and foreign bodies have also been identified (Knab et al., 2014). Cholecystitis may also present in the absence of gallstones, which is referred to as acalculous cholecystitis, or as a chronic condition, known as chronic cholecystitis …show more content…
The blood supply to the gallbladder is provided by the cystic artery, a branch of the right hepatic artery normally located in Calot’s triangle; an area near the gallbladder bounded by the cystic duct, common bile duct and cystic artery (Nagral, 2005). Venous drainage of the gallbladder drains into the right portal vein of the liver, while lymphatics drain into nodes of the porta hepatis and the cystic node of Calot’s triangle (Nagral, 2005; Ellis, 2011).
The gallbladder, which is part of the biliary system, primarily functions to receive, concentrate and store bile produced by the liver. which used to assist the breakdown and absorption of fat in the digestive system (Drake et al., 2009). When food is consumed and enters the small intestine, cholecystokinin is released which triggers the gallbladder to contract and secrete bile. The gallbladder is not essential for survival however, as the liver will instead drip bile into the duodenum during this process instead if the gallbladder is absent (Ellis,