Gallbladder of an Obese White Male, Gross Anatomy

Description

Anteriorly oriented on a standing male figure, the gallbladder (vesica fellea) is presented in situ on the visceral surface of the liver, positioned in the right upper quadrant beneath the right costal margin. Its fundus projects inferiorly toward the anterior abdominal wall, while the body courses posteromedially to narrow into the neck at the porta hepatis region. From the neck, the cystic duct is logically implied as it turns medially to join the common hepatic duct and form the extrahepatic biliary tract. Surrounding abdominal adiposity is suggested by the obese body habitus, framing the gallbladder’s relationships to the stomach and proximal small bowel in the upper abdomen. Gallbladder anatomy in an obese adult male matters because body habitus alters both surface landmarks and operative exposure during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Identification of the gallbladder neck and cystic duct becomes the central teaching point when discussing the critical view of safety and the risk of common bile duct injury in acute cholecystitis or difficult dissection. Gallstone disease remains common in this setting, and the fundus-to-neck orientation helps explain patterns of distension, impaction at Hartmann’s pouch, and biliary colic referred to the right upper abdomen. Educators can place this asset into gross anatomy, gastrointestinal anatomy, and surgical clerkship materials to anchor the biliary system within the full abdominal viscera rather than as an isolated organ diagram. It also fits patient-facing bariatric and general surgery counseling content where a realistic obese male habitus improves anatomical plausibility without sacrificing clarity. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.