Comparative morphology of the gallbladder and biliary tract in vertebrates: Variation in structure, homology in function and gallstones

Microscopy Research and TechniqueVolume 38, Issue 6 p. 571-597 Topical Paper Comparative morphology of the gallbladder and biliary tract in vertebrates: Variation in structure, homology in function and gallstones Carla K. Oldham-Ott, Carla K. Oldham-Ott Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 Summa Health System Foundation, Akron, Ohio 44304Search for more papers by this authorJacques Gilloteaux, Corresponding Author Jacques Gilloteaux Summa Health System Foundation, Akron, Ohio 44304 Laboratoire Océanologique Arago de l'Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Banyuls 66650, FranceSumma Health System Foundation, 41 Arch Street, Suite 506, Akron, Ohio 44304, USASearch for more papers by this author Carla K. Oldham-Ott, Carla K. Oldham-Ott Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242 Summa Health System Foundation, Akron, Ohio 44304Search for more papers by this authorJacques Gilloteaux, Corresponding Author Jacques Gilloteaux Summa Health System Foundation, Akron, Ohio 44304 Laboratoire Océanologique Arago de l'Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Banyuls 66650, FranceSumma Health System Foundation, 41 Arch Street, Suite 506, Akron, Ohio 44304, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: 07 December 1998 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-0029(19970915)38:6<571::AID-JEMT3>3.0.CO;2-ICitations: 37AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat 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. Citing Literature Volume38, Issue6Special Issue: The Biliary Tract, The Gallbladder, and Gallstones, Part 115 September 1997Pages 571-597 RelatedInformation