Which organ produces bile?

The liver is the organ responsible for producing bile, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Bile consists of bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, electrolytes, and water, and it aids in emulsifying fats, making them easier for digestive enzymes to break down. The liver continually synthesizes bile, which is then stored in the gallbladder until it is needed during digestion.

While the gallbladder does store and concentrate bile, it does not produce it; instead, it releases bile into the duodenum when fats are present. The pancreas is involved in producing digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to neutralize stomach acid but does not produce bile. The stomach primarily functions in the mechanical breakdown of food and secretion of gastric juices, playing no role in bile production.