Jaundice

Question 1

What is jaundice

Answer 1

Yellowing of the sclera and/or skin
Increase in bilirubin levels in the bloodstream.
This leads to increased bile and thus increased jaundice

Question 2

Organs involved in formation of bilirubin?

Answer 2

Spleen - b/d of RBC’s

Question 3

Bilirubin

Answer 3

By product of the breakdown of RBC’s

Used to form bile in the liver

Question 4

Bile

function

Answer 4

Travels through the biliary tree which connects the liver to the 2nd part of the duodenum
Important for the normal absorption of fats from SI

Question 5

What happens to bilirubin levels if there is an obstruction in the biliary tree?

Answer 5

Levels of bilirubin increase in the liver

Question 6

Pre-hepatic causes of jaundice

Answer 6

Anything which causes an increased rate of RBC b/d
Disruption occurs before bilirubin has been transported to the liver
Unconjugated bilirubin
- sickle cell anaemia
- haemolytic anaemia

Question 7

Hepatic causes of jaundice

Answer 7

Liver cells are injured or dead 
Disruption occurs inside the liver 
- acute liver failure 
- alcoholic hepatitis 
- bile duct loss
- pregnancy

Question 8

Post-hepatic causes of jaundice

Answer 8

Pathology occurring after the conjugation of bilirubin in the liver.
DIsruption prevents bile from draining out of the GB and into the digestive system
Bile can’t escape into the 2nd part of the duodenum
- gallstones
- carcinoma of the head of the pancreas
- strictures of CBD