Microscopic study of gall bladder stones

Gallbladder stones are crystalline structures formed by concretion or accretion of normal or abnormal bile constitutents. These stones are normally made of cholesterol, calcium, phosphate, carbonate and proteins. Aetiology of gallbladder stones is multifactoral. Scanning electron microsscopy (SEM) is used here to investigate the surface features of the mechanically fractured part of the stone samples. Micrographs are found to exhibit a non uniform polycrystalline surface without specific grain boundaries with porosity, leading to loose bonding of crystals and low specific gravity. These results pertaining to surface characterisation are very useful for disintegration process of stones inside or outside the human body.