Neck of the Gallbladder Flashcards

Study the gallbladder neck, its connection to the cystic duct, anatomical relations, vascular supply, variations, and surgical landmarks.

Card 1 of 24Question

What is the neck of the gallbladder?

The narrow proximal portion of the gallbladder connecting its body to the cystic duct.

In This Section

1. What is the neck of the gallbladder?

The narrow proximal portion of the gallbladder connecting its body to the cystic duct.

2. Which part of the gallbladder is continuous with the neck?

The body of the gallbladder.

3. Which duct emerges from the gallbladder neck?

The cystic duct.

4. Where is the gallbladder neck located relative to the porta hepatis?

Near the right side of the porta hepatis, close to the extrahepatic biliary ducts.

5. What is the usual orientation of the gallbladder neck?

It curves toward the porta hepatis as it narrows into the cystic duct.

6. What is the infundibulum of the gallbladder?

The funnel-shaped region where the gallbladder body narrows toward the neck.

7. What is Hartmann's pouch?

A variable outpouching of the gallbladder near the junction of its neck and cystic duct.

8. Is Hartmann's pouch present in every gallbladder?

No. It is a variable anatomical feature rather than a constant structure.

9. What is the main function of the gallbladder neck?

To provide a passage for bile moving between the gallbladder body and cystic duct.

10. What type of epithelium lines the gallbladder neck?

Simple columnar epithelium, continuous with the gallbladder and cystic duct mucosa.

11. How does the mucosa of the gallbladder neck differ from that of the body?

The neck contains more prominent mucosal folds and mucus-secreting glands.

12. Which histological layer is absent from the gallbladder neck, as in the rest of the gallbladder?

The muscularis mucosae.

13. Which artery provides the principal blood supply to the gallbladder neck?

The cystic artery, usually arising from the right hepatic artery.

14. Where does venous blood from the gallbladder neck drain?

Through cystic venous tributaries into the portal venous system.

15. Which lymph node is commonly located near the gallbladder neck?

The cystic lymph node, also called the node of Lund.

16. Which autonomic nerve plexus supplies the gallbladder neck?

The hepatic plexus, containing sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers.

17. Which anatomical triangle lies adjacent to the gallbladder neck and cystic duct?

The hepatocystic triangle.

18. What are the boundaries of the hepatocystic triangle?

The cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and inferior surface of the liver.

19. Why is the gallbladder neck an important landmark during cholecystectomy?

It helps guide identification of the cystic duct and nearby biliary structures.

20. Why is the infundibulum alone unreliable for identifying the cystic duct during surgery?

Inflammation or distortion can make the common bile duct appear continuous with the gallbladder neck.

21. Where may gallstones become impacted near the gallbladder outlet?

In the gallbladder neck, Hartmann's pouch, or cystic duct.

22. What can result from persistent obstruction of the gallbladder neck by a gallstone?

Gallbladder distension and inflammation, potentially causing acute calculous cholecystitis.

23. What is Mirizzi syndrome?

Compression or obstruction of the common hepatic duct by an impacted stone in the gallbladder neck or cystic duct.

24. What is a cholecystocholedochal fistula?

An abnormal connection between the gallbladder and common bile duct, sometimes caused by erosion from an impacted stone.