The liver is the organ responsible for the production of bile, a digestive fluid essential for the emulsification and absorption of fats in the small intestine. Bile is synthesized by hepatocytes and then either secreted directly into the bile ducts or stored temporarily in the gallbladder. Unlike the gallbladder, which only stores and concentrates bile, the liver actively produces and secretes bile continuously. Understanding this distinction is crucial during hepatobiliary surgeries to avoid damaging the bile ducts or hepatic tissue, which can lead to bile leakage or liver dysfunction.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, Henry Gray, 42nd Edition.