Final answer:
Jaundice is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by bilirubin accumulation in body tissues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jaundice, or icterus, is a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by the accumulation of bilirubin in body tissues.
Bilirubin is a pigment that is formed when red blood cells are broken down. In normal situations, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood and excretes it through bile. However, in certain diseases or conditions, such as liver disease, the liver cannot effectively remove bilirubin, leading to its accumulation in the body tissues.
When the concentration of bilirubin reaches a certain level, it causes a yellow coloration in the skin and whites of the eyes, resulting in the condition known as jaundice.