Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Practice Exam

What is the primary function of the gallbladder?

1. Metabolize fats

2. Produce bile

3. Emulsify fats

4. Store bile

The correct answer is: Store bile

The primary function of the gallbladder is to store bile. Bile, produced by the liver, is necessary for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. The gallbladder acts as a reservoir, holding bile until it is needed for digestion, particularly after meals when fat is present in the digestive system. When you eat a meal that contains fat, the gallbladder contracts and releases the stored bile into the small intestine, where it aids in the emulsification and eventual digestion of fats. This storage capability is essential for efficient fat digestion, allowing the body to process dietary lipids effectively. While the liver produces bile and emulsification of fats occurs during digestion, storing bile is specifically the function that the gallbladder is designed for.