Jaundiced skin is most closely associated with abnormalities of which organ?

• A. Liver
• B. Kidney
• C. Lungs
• D. Heart

Answer: (A)

Jaundiced skin reflects high levels of bilirubin in the blood, which most often points to a problem with how the liver handles bilirubin. Bilirubin comes from the breakdown of hemoglobin. It is carried to the liver, where liver cells conjugate it (make it water-soluble) so it can be excreted in bile. If the liver is damaged (for example, from hepatitis or cirrhosis) or if bile flow is blocked (biliary obstruction), bilirubin isn’t properly conjugated or excreted, and it builds up in the blood, causing yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Among the organs listed, the liver is the one directly responsible for processing and eliminating bilirubin, so abnormalities there are most closely associated with jaundice. The kidneys, lungs, and heart don’t play the central role in bilirubin metabolism or its excretion, so they’re not the usual source of jaundice.