Digestive / VISUAL EXPLAINER
How Cholestasis Blocks the Normal Flow of Bile π§¬π’
Cholestasis means reduced or stopped bile flow. One intrahepatic example involves impaired bile-salt export by BSEP, which can retain bile acids within liver cells. It is not always a physical blockage or this particular mechanism.
READ THE IMAGE
What the illustration shows
English educational poster titled βHow Cholestasis Blocks the Normal Flow of Bileβ with DNA and green-circle symbols. A prominent line defines cholestasis as reduced or stopped bile flow, followed by a qualifier limiting the image to one intrahepatic example of impaired bile-salt export. Two cutaway hepatocytes flank a green open bile canaliculus at the top. Below, two membrane cross-sections compare functioning BSEP transport with an impaired BSEP example. Both show three gold conceptual pumps crossing a blue-and-gold membrane, a blue open lumen above and peach cell interior below. Green symbols represent bile acids. Three strong upward export arrows appear at left; one smaller upward arrow appears at right, with more bile-acid symbols retained on the cell side. Both lumens are explicitly labeled open. Text says impaired export can retain bile acids inside liver cells and that this is one mechanism, not every cause. Shapes, counts and arrows are marked conceptual, not measured. Navy/cyan background, ivory and gold text, gold AllHumanBody.com and complete slogan at the bottom. Educational illustration, not a diagnosis.
How to interpret this poster
- One intrahepatic example only; no universal BSEP deficiency, reduced expression or physical blockage. Conceptual transporter shapes/counts/arrows, not kinetic measurements. No genetic timeline, bilirubin diagnosis, symptoms or treatment.
- AI-assisted educational illustration; not physician certification, a diagnosis or individualized medical advice.
- Fine annotations require enlargement; preserve the full uncropped illustration and its qualifiers.
AI-assisted educational illustration, adapted into web-sized images without changing its composition. This is general education, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation.
EVIDENCE / CONTEXT
Sources and what they support
- MSD Manual: Cholestasis β
Reduced/stopped bile flow and intrahepatic versus extrahepatic causes.
- MedlinePlus Genetics: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis β
BSEP exports bile acids and deficient export is one impaired-release example.
- Hepatobiliary transport review β
Canalicular transport, BSEP and defective secretion distinct from secondary obstruction.
Evidence correspondence is limited to the abstract.