Bile:Bileis a yellow-green fluid that is made by the liver, storedinthegallbladderand passes through thecommon bile ductinto theduodenumwhere it helps digestfat。胆汁的主要成分是cholesterol, bile salts, and thepigmentbilirubin.
An imbalance between these components of bile leads to the formation of gallstones. Gallstones can thus be composed of different materials. Cholesterolgallstonesform when there is an imbalance between the amounts of cholesterol and the bile salts. Cholesterol is normally kept in liquid form by the dissolving action of the bile salts. An increased amount of cholesterol in the bile overwhelms the dissolving capacity of the bile salts and leads to the formation of cholesterol gallstones. Similarly, a deficiency of bile salts promotes cholesterol gallstone formation. Pigment gallstones are frequently associated withchronicinfectionin the bile, especially in certain Asian countries whereparasiticinfection of the bile ducts is common. Patients withblooddiseases that cause excessive breakdown of red blood cells can have increased amounts of bilirubin (breakdown product of red cells) in the bile, thus causing bilirubin gallstone formation.
