The gallbladder of human foetuses: A morphological and morphometric study

Abstract

IntroductionThe study aims in analyzing the gross development of human gallbladder and its variations. Methods92 foetuses, 59 males and 33 females, of different age groups were dissected for morphological analysis of gallbladder. The length and weight of foetal gallbladder, its relationship with the gallbladder fossa of liver and inferior hepatic margin, its lumen and wall, detection of bile and congenital anomalies are looked into the present study. ResultsIn foetus, the gallbladder is short of inferior hepatic margin. A sudden increase in mean length and weight of the gallbladder is observed as foetal age advances from 26–30 weeks to 31–35 weeks. . Bile staining of the wall of gallbladder is observed from 17-week old foetuses onwards Double gallbladder with common cystic duct, intraparenchymal gallbladder, a gallbladder on the inferior surface of liver along the line of attachment of falciform ligament (which is attached on the anterior surface of liver), a gallbladder with dilated body and neck, Phrygian cap, an enlarged gallbladder with wide lumen, thin wall and absence of bile stain were the variations observed in the present study. DiscussionFrom this study, the gross development of the gallbladder can be analyzed. The knowledge of the variations in development of human gallbladder will be helpful for clinical studies.