Gallbladder of an Obese White Male, Anterior View

Description

Anterior abdominal surface anatomy frames the hepatobiliary region, with the liver occupying the right upper quadrant and the gallbladder seated on its inferior (visceral) surface. The rounded fundus projects inferiorly beyond the inferior margin of the right lobe, while the body tapers superomedially toward the neck at the porta hepatis where the cystic duct would join the extrahepatic biliary tree. Portions of the small intestine and proximal colon are suggested inferior to the liver, providing midline and right-sided spatial context. An obese male habitus is rendered in the overlying abdominal wall, emphasizing the depth from skin to organ. Clinically, an anterior view that includes body habitus helps bridge textbook anatomy to physical examination and operative planning, since the gallbladder fundus often becomes the palpable and sonographic target when it is distended in acute cholecystitis. The fundus, body, and neck orientation also tracks the usual path of gallstones from the gallbladder into the cystic duct, and it sets up the relationships surgeons must respect during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, where inflammation and excess adiposity can obscure Calot’s triangle and increase the risk of common bile duct injury. Small, easy landmark. The depiction of the fundus extending past the liver edge mirrors a common intraoperative finding when the gallbladder is enlarged or the liver is steatotic. Use this asset in gross anatomy and GI block teaching to reinforce right upper quadrant organ topography, or in patient-facing education on biliary colic, cholelithiasis, and cholecystitis where habitus affects symptoms and imaging windows. It also suits surgical education materials discussing port placement, retraction strategies, and exposure challenges in obese patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.