Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Which organ is responsible for discharging bile?

1. The pancreas

2. The gallbladder

3. The liver

4. The small intestine

The correct answer is: The liver

The liver is the organ responsible for the production of bile, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Once bile is produced in the liver, it is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder until it is needed during the digestive process. When food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder releases bile to assist in breaking down dietary fats. In this context, although the gallbladder plays a role in storing and discharging bile, the liver is the primary organ that produces it, making it vital in the overall digestive process. The pancreas, while important in digestion, produces digestive enzymes rather than bile. The small intestine is the site where bile acts, but it does not produce or discharge bile itself. Understanding the functions of these organs highlights the liver's crucial role in bile production and its importance to digestive health.