Premium
Comparative morphology of the gallbladder and biliary tract in vertebrates: Variation in structure, homology in function and gallstones
Author(s) -
OldhamOtt Carla K.,
Gilloteaux Jacques
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0029(19970915)38:6<571::aid-jemt3>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - gallbladder , gallstones , biliary tract , biology , morphology (biology) , anatomy , zoology , pathology , gastroenterology , medicine
Abstract A review of investigations on the morphology of the gallbladder and biliary tract in fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals was performed. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and light microscopy observations by the authors were also included. Variations in the presence or absence of a gallbladder, surface epithelium of the gallbladder, and differences in the morphology of the biliary tract in vertebrates were reported. Many differences were diet‐related. Despite some dissimilarities observed, analogous functioning of the biliary system was accomplished by its various components, with the biliary ducts performing the function of the gallbladder when this organ was absent. In addition, the occurrence of peculiar parasitism and gallstones among some cases of vertebrates, including humans, was presented. Microsc. Res. Tech. 38:571–597, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.