Final answer:
Gallstones are six times more common in women than in men and are a prominent cause for cholecystectomies. These stones are primarily composed of cholesterol and can lead to obstructions in the bile duct, causing pain and jaundice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gallstones are significantly more common in women than in men, being six times more likely to occur in the female population. These stones can often lead to the need for cholecystectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. Gallstones are typically composed of cholesterol and can cause blockages in the bile ducts. When a blockage occurs, it can result in pain, inflammation, and jaundice due to the backing up of bile and bilirubin into the liver.
The gallbladder itself is a small organ nestled under the liver, responsible for storing and concentrating bile produced by the liver. It is connected to the common bile duct by the cystic duct and plays a crucial role in digestion, especially in the breakdown of lipids. The incidence of gallstones and the subsequent need for gallbladder surgery account for a significant percentage of gastrointestinal surgeries, with a sizable proportion being associated with gallstones in the cystic duct.