Which organ stores bile between meals and concentrates it?

The organ responsible for storing bile between meals and concentrating it is the gallbladder. Bile, produced by the liver, plays a crucial role in the digestion and emulsification of fats. During meals, when fatty foods enter the small intestine, the gallbladder contracts and releases the stored bile into the small intestine to aid in digestion. Between meals, the gallbladder retains the bile, allowing for its concentration by reabsorbing water and electrolytes, which enhances its digestive efficacy when it is needed. This function is important for ensuring that the body can efficiently digest fats and maintain digestive processes without the continuous release of bile from the liver. The liver produces bile but does not store it; the pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones but is not involved in bile storage; the small intestine is the site of digestion and nutrient absorption, not storage of bile.