AST Surgical Technologist Practice Exam

What is the primary function of the gallbladder?

1. Produce bile

2. Store bile

3. Digest fats

4. Filter blood

The correct answer is: Store bile

The primary function of the gallbladder is to store bile. Bile is produced by the liver and plays a critical role in the digestion of fats. Once it is synthesized by the liver, bile is transported to the gallbladder, where it is concentrated and held until needed for digestion. When food containing fat enters the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts and releases the stored bile into the duodenum, facilitating the emulsification and digestion of fats. While bile production occurs in the liver, and the emulsification of fats is crucial for digestion, the gallbladder itself is not involved in these processes; its main role is specifically to act as a reservoir for bile. The other options provided pertain to functions that do not accurately describe what the gallbladder does, either being related to different organs or general metabolic processes rather than the gallbladder's specific storage function.