Anatomy and Physiology II Practice Test

Which structure stores bile produced by the liver?

1. Pancreas

2. Liver

3. Gallbladder

4. Spleen

The correct answer is: Gallbladder

The gallbladder is the structure responsible for storing bile produced by the liver. Bile is a digestive fluid that aids in the emulsification and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Although the liver produces bile, it does not store it; instead, bile flows into the gallbladder, where it is concentrated and stored until it is needed for digestion. When food, especially fatty food, enters the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts to release the stored bile into the duodenum, facilitating the digestion process. The roles of the other structures are distinct from that of the gallbladder. The pancreas plays a critical role in digestion by producing digestive enzymes and hormones, particularly insulin and glucagon, but it does not store bile. The liver, while it produces bile, is not involved in its storage. The spleen is primarily involved in filtering blood and immune function rather than in bile production or storage.