Yellow discoloration of the skin, whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes caused by elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Indicates liver disease, bile duct obstruction, or excessive red blood cell breakdown.
From Old French 'jaunisse' meaning 'yellowness,' from 'jaune' (yellow). The term entered English in the 14th century, replacing earlier terms like 'the yellows.' The French root comes from Latin 'galbinus' (yellowish), showing how the obvious visual sign dominated naming across cultures.
Jaundice is visible to the naked eye only when bilirubin levels are at least double the normal range! The whites of the eyes (sclera) show yellowing first because they have a lot of a protein called elastin that has a special affinity for bilirubin.
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