Final answer:
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form from cholesterol in the gallbladder. They may cause blockages leading to jaundice if they are large enough to obstruct the bile duct. High cholesterol is associated with the formation of gallstones.
Step-by-step explanation:
What are Gallstones?
Gallstones are solid particles that form from cholesterol in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile, which is produced by the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fats, and it is composed of substances like cholesterol, bile salts, and bile pigments. When too much cholesterol accumulates, it can precipitate out and form gallstones. Some gallstones are small enough to pass through the bile duct into the duodenum and are excreted naturally, while larger stones may get lodged in the bile duct, causing painful blockages.
Blockages caused by larger gallstones can lead to a condition called jaundice, whereby the bile pigment bilirubin builds up in the liver and bloodstream, giving the skin and eyes a yellowish coloration. This is because the blocked bile duct prevents the normal excretion of bilirubin. Medical tests like Hay's test and Fouchet's test are used to detect the presence of bile salts and pigments in the urine, which can indicate an obstruction in the biliary tree.
Conditions like heart disease, abnormal lipid profiles, and cancers are associated with gallstones. The relationship between high cholesterol and gallstones is evident in the etymology of the word cholesterol itself, which comes from the Greek 'chole' (bile) and 'stereos' (solid).