What are gallstones?

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped pouch about three to six inches long. It is tucked just under the liver and is connected to the intestine and liver by small tubes called bile ducts. Bile ducts carry bile, a greenish-brown fluid that is made in the liver.

Bile acts like a detergent, breaking up fat from the food we eat into small droplets. It also enables the body to absorb vitamins A, D, E and K. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder, ready for use and is only released when we eat.

Gallstones form when liquid stored in the gallbladder hardens into pieces of stone-like material.