cholecysto-, cyholecyst-

The gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ located just below the liver which stores the bile secreted by the liver: "During and after a meal consisting of fat, the gallbladder contracts, and transfers the bile through the bile ducts into the intestines to help with the digestion of the food."

In medicine, referring to a substance that stimulates the activity of the gallbladder: When Jill went for her check-up at Dr. Smith's office, he said she had a cholecystagogic condition and needed some medication that would activate her gallbladder contractions.

In medicine, a substance that encourages the activity of the gallbladder: Jack got cholecystagogue at the pharmacy which was to promote the efficiency of the muscular sac attached to the liver until it was required for digestion.

A type of smooth muscle or visceral pain (the internal organs of the body, especially those of the abdomen such as the intestines): Cholecystalgia is specifically associated with the passing of stones through the internal organs of the body, particularly those of the abdomen like the intestines.

A radiographic examination of the gallbladder and the bile ducts after an injection of a contrast medium.

A lack of normal strength, a weakness, or a failure of the gallbladder to function.

Surgery to remove the gallbladder if it is inflamed or obstructed or if gallstones are causing pancreatitis, or if cancer is suspected.

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is done while the patient is under general anesthesia. It is most commonly performed through four small incisions, using a small video camera called a laparoscope.

In laparoscopic surgery, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to provide more space for the surgeon to work.

The laparoscope is inserted through small incisions. The vessels and duct going to the gallbladder (cystic duct and artery) are identified, clipped, and cut. The gallbladder is removed and the incisions are closed.

In complicated cases, an open cholecystectomy may be performed. A larger incision is made just below the ribs on the right side of the abdomen.

As with laparoscopic surgery, the vessels and ducts going to the gallbladder are identified, clipped, and cut. The gallbladder is removed. The incisions are closed.

Laparoscopic surgery often has a lower rate of complications, a shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic results than the open procedure.

Although this term seems to be a misspelling of cholecystectomy, it is used in a few web sites and it is defined as, a dissolution (breaking into fragments) treatment that functions to get rid of a gall stone that is found in the gall bladder: "The surgical treatment for gallstones known as cholecystectony, or laproscopic surgery, can deal with gall stone discomfort as well as get rid of the possibilities of additional physical problems."

The suturing (surgical joining) of the gallbladder to the small intestine: "Dr. Ellis has performed over a hundred cholecystenterorrhaphies during his ten years as a surgeon."

The surgical formation of a connection between the gallbladder and the stomach.