Concept of the pathogenesis and treatment of cholelithiasis

Figure 3 Formation of molecular structures in the system containing bile acids, lecithin and cholesterol. Cholesterol-supersaturated vesicles can stick together and agglomerate to form multilayer (liposomal) liquid-crystal structures. When gallbladder contractility is decreased, liposomes may be converted to solid cholesterol monocrystals. BA: Bile acids; L: Lecithin; Ch: Cholesterol.