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For example, the serosa of the uterus is called the perimetrium. Schematic diagram of an organ invaginating into a serous cavity The pericardial cavity (surrounding the heart ), pleural cavity (surrounding the lungs ) and peritoneal cavity (surrounding most organs of the abdomen ) are the three serous cavities within the human body.
The gallbladder has a capacity of about 50 millilitres (1.8 imperial fluid ounces). [2] The gallbladder is shaped like a pear, with its tip opening into the cystic duct. [4] The gallbladder is divided into three sections: the fundus, body, and neck. The fundus is the rounded base, angled so that it faces the abdominal wall.
Generally, if it is a part of the digestive tract that is free to move, it is covered by serosa, and if it is relatively rigidly fixed, it is covered by adventitia. The connective tissue of the gallbladder is covered by adventitia where the gallbladder bounds the liver, but by serosa for the rest of its surface.
The presence of large stones, >2.5 cm in diameter, within the gallbladder are thought to predispose to fistula formation by gradual erosion through the gallbladder fundus. [1] Once a fistula has formed, a stone may travel from the gallbladder into the bowel and become lodged almost anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract .
Jaundice is commonly caused by conditions such as pancreatic cancer, which causes blockage of the bile duct passing through the cancerous portion of the pancreas; cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile ducts; blockage by a stone in patients with gallstones; and from scarring after injury to the bile duct during gallbladder removal.
Once tissue has died, the gallbladder is at greatly increased risk of rupture (perforation), which can cause sharp pain. Rupture can also occur in cases of chronic cholecystitis. [13] Rupture is a rare but serious complication that leads to abscess formation or peritonitis. [14] Massive rupture of the gallbladder has a mortality rate of 30%. [13]
Ileus may increase adhesion formation, because intestinal segments have more prolonged contact and intestinal distention causes serosal injury and ischemia. It is usually treated with aggressive fluid support, prokinetics , and anti-inflammatories.
This inflammation of the gallbladder is known as cholecystitis and is a common indication for surgical removal of the gallbladder, or cholecystectomy. [ 12 ] Occasionally gallstones may become lodged in the common bile duct and obstruct the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine– this condition is known as ...