Chapter 21, Problem 23RQ

Mary Littlefeather arrives in her physician’s office complaining of severe, steady pain in the upper right quadrant of her abdomen. The pain began shortly after she ate a meal of fried chicken, French fries, and peas. Lab tests and an ultrasound reveal the presence of gallstones in the common bile duct running from the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas into the small intestine.

1. a. Why was Mary’s pain precipitated by the meal she ate?
2. b. Which of the following processes will be affected by the gallstones: micelle formation in the intestine, carbohydrate digestion in the intestine, and protein absorption in the intestine. Explain your reasoning.