What is the term for the yellowing of the skin often associated with liver dysfunction?

The term for the yellowing of the skin that is often associated with liver dysfunction is jaundice. This condition arises when there is an accumulation of bilirubin in the blood, which can occur due to several reasons related to liver function, such as liver disease, obstruction of bile ducts, or increased breakdown of red blood cells.

Jaundice is characterized by a noticeable yellowing not just of the skin, but also of the eyes and mucous membranes, getting its name from the French word "jaune," meaning yellow. The physiological mechanism involves bilirubin, a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin, which typically gets processed by the liver to be excreted in bile. When the liver is unable to metabolize bilirubin adequately, it leads to its buildup and the resultant yellowing.

While cholestasis, hyperbilirubinemia, and hepatitis are related terms that involve liver or bile function, they represent broader or different concepts. Cholestasis refers specifically to a reduction or stoppage of bile flow, which can lead to jaundice but is not the term used to describe the yellowing itself. Hyperbilirubinemia refers to an excess of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which is a condition that would cause jaundice