Anatomic and Histologic Examination of a Grossly Enlarged Gallbladder Fused to the Inferior Surface of the Liver

The liver is an important organ located on the right side of the abdomen, predominantly responsible for controlling mechanisms related to metabolism, immunity, digestion, detoxification, and coagulation. The gallbladder is an organ present in the gallbladder fossa on the inferior surface of the liver. The main function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile, aiding in fat digestion. In this article, we present a case report of an anomalous gallbladder discovered during cadaveric dissection. The gallbladder appeared to be fused to the inferior surface of the liver and was grossly enlarged. Furthermore, four diaphragmatic grooves were present on the superior surface of the liver. Histologic investigation revealed an acutely inflamed gallbladder wall at the point of fusion, and luminal contents composed mainly of fibrin and degraded blood products. This anatomy could potentially have clinical implications, such as in symptoms of acute and chronic inflammation and right upper quadrant pain. Furthermore, this article adds to the literature a representation of the gallbladder and would be useful in medical education.