Which organ produces bile that is secreted into the small intestine?

• A. Liver
• B. Gallbladder
• C. Stomach
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (A)

Bile is produced by the liver. The liver’s hepatocytes continuously synthesize bile and release it into small bile ducts that merge into the hepatic ducts. From there bile can flow to the gallbladder for storage and concentration, and when digestion occurs, bile is released into the small intestine through the common bile duct. Its main job in the intestine is to emulsify fats, increasing their surface area for digestion by lipases.

The gallbladder merely stores and concentrates bile, not produce it. The stomach does not produce bile at all, and the pancreas releases pancreatic juice containing enzymes and bicarbonate, not bile.