What are gallbladder stones?
Gallbladder stones are sediments known as gallstones that are present in the gallbladder. There are different types of gallstones – cholesterol, pigment or mixed stones. Cholesterol and black pigment gallstones tend to originate in the gallbladder while brown pigment stones develop in the ducts, particularly the common bile duct. However, smaller cholesterol and black pigment stones may pass out of the gallbladder and lodge in the cystic duct or common bile duct thereby producing the typical symptoms seen in gallstone attacks. Stone(s) in the gallbladder are referred to as cholelithiasis while stone(s) in the duct are known as choledocholithiasis.
