Updated September 24, 2009.

Definition:

Bile is a yellow-green fluid that helps with food digestion (among other important functions). Specifically, it emulsifies the fat in your food, making it easier to be absorbed by the intestines.

Bile is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, a sac-like organ attached to the underside of the liver. During meals, bile is released from the gallbladder (through the bile duct) to the liver.

Many compounds make up bile, including salts and pigments. One of these pigments is bilirubin, which is responsible for jaundice when it accumulates in the blood and body tissues.