Final answer:
The correct term to describe an infestation of gallstones is cholelithiasis (option D) . This condition occurs when cholesterol precipitates into solid particles in the gallbladder, potentially causing pain and jaundice if they block the bile duct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that describes an infestation of gallstones is cholelithiasis. Gallstones are solid particles formed from cholesterol and other constituents that can accumulate in the gallbladder. When large quantities of cholesterol are not metabolized and settle out in the gallbladder, they form these solid particles. Small gallstones can pass through the bile duct into the duodenum and be excreted, but larger stones can get stuck and cause a blockage leading to pain and jaundice due to bilirubin buildup. Surgical removal of the gallbladder in cases of severe gallstones is known as a cholecystectomy, and the organ’s removal typically does not seriously affect digestion because the liver continues to produce bile.