In assessing a patient with jaundice, which organ is primarily affected?

Jaundice is a clinical condition characterized by the yellowing of the skin and the sclerae (the whites of the eyes) due to an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood. The primary organ implicated in jaundice is the liver.

The liver plays a crucial role in the metabolism and excretion of bilirubin, which is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin, converts it into a form that can be excreted in bile, and subsequently eliminated from the body. When the liver is compromised due to disease, infection, or any dysfunction, it may lead to an inability to properly conjugate and eliminate bilirubin, resulting in its accumulation and the subsequent manifestation of jaundice.

While other organs such as the gallbladder, the pancreas, and the spleen may be involved in various hepatic or biliary processes, they are not the primary organs directly responsible for the metabolism of bilirubin. For instance, the gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver, and if there is an obstruction in bile flow, it may contribute to jaundice, but it is not the source of the bilirubin accumulation itself. The pancreas primarily aids in digestion and does not play a central role