gallstones
Crystallized digestive deposits
Gallstones are hard deposits that form in the gallbladder, ranging from grain-sized to golf ball–sized.
They develop when bile components crystallize, often causing no symptoms until one blocks a duct, triggering intense abdominal pain.
She had her gallbladder removed after a gallstone attack.
Treatment ranges from medication to surgical removal.
Biliary tract infection
- pancreatitisSwollen digestive gland
- cholestasisImpaired hepatic bile drainage
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- blockageObstruction halting movement
perforation · empyema · sepsis · jaundice
Yellowing from bile pigment
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
- radiating painPain spreading from source
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
cramping · intense · acute · chronic · flare-up · indigestion · bloating
Inaudible high-frequency waves
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- sonographyImaging using sound waves
- Murphy's signGallbladder inflammation indicator
Waxy lipid in blood
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- biliaryConcerning bile production
- hepaticRelating to liver
- emulsificationDispersing one liquid in another
Tube draining bile downstream
- liver functionOrgan's metabolic and filtering capacity
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- cirrhosisIrreversible hepatic scarring
- hepatitisInflammatory liver condition
Gallbladder excision surgery
- laparoscopic surgeryCamera-assisted internal operation
- lithotripsyShattering calculi with soundwaves
- ursodeoxycholic acidHepatoprotective bile salt
- stent placementImplanting arterial support device
Forming ordered solid structure
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
- concretionAccumulated solid mass
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
- supersaturationExceeding dissolution equilibrium limits
cholangitis
Biliary tract infection
- pancreatitisSwollen digestive gland
- cholestasisImpaired hepatic bile drainage
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
blockage · perforation · empyema · sepsis · jaundice
jaundice
Yellowing from bile pigment
- nauseaPre-vomiting stomach discomfort
- vomitingExpelling stomach contents orally
- radiating painPain spreading from source
sharp · cramping · intense · acute · chronic · flare-up · indigestion · bloating
ultrasound
Inaudible high-frequency waves
- CT scanTomographic diagnostic imaging
- sonographyImaging using sound waves
- Murphy's signGallbladder inflammation indicator
cholesterol
Waxy lipid in blood
emulsification · digestive · fat metabolism · micelles · bile salts
common bile duct
Tube draining bile downstream
- liver functionOrgan's metabolic and filtering capacity
- bilirubinHemoglobin degradation byproduct
- cirrhosisIrreversible hepatic scarring
cholecystectomy
Gallbladder excision surgery
- laparoscopic surgeryCamera-assisted internal operation
- lithotripsyShattering calculi with soundwaves
- ursodeoxycholic acidHepatoprotective bile salt
crystallization
Forming ordered solid structure
- sedimentationParticles settling in liquid
- concretionAccumulated solid mass
- precipitationAtmospheric water deposit
stone formation · supersaturation · nucleation · calcification · hardening
- GI disordersCrohn's disease, gastroenteritis, IBS, GERD, ulcerative colitis
- medical findingscyst, tumor, lesion, polyp, hernia
- biliary diseasescholangitis, cholestasis
- Biliary Systembile, bile duct, bile ducts, common bile duct, bilirubin
- calcificationscalcification, calcium deposits, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, sialolithiasis
- liverliver, hepatic, bile, cirrhosis, hepatitis