Final answer:
Xanthomas are associated with abnormalities in lipid metabolism. These skin and tissue deposits are related to high lipid levels in the blood and signify potential metabolic disorders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Xanthomas are associated with abnormalities in lipid metabolism. These are deposits that can accumulate on the skin and in the body's tissues when there are high levels of blood lipids, particularly cholesterol and triglycerides. Lipid metabolism involves the breakdown and synthesis of lipids in the body, including the oxidation of fatty acids for energy or the creation of new lipids from smaller molecules. Abnormalities in this process can lead to the formation of xanthomas, which are indicative of underlying disorders such as hyperlipidemia or more complex conditions within the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn). The metabolism of lipids is also interconnected with other pathways, like carbohydrate metabolism, because the products of glucose can be converted into lipids, displaying the inter-related nature of metabolic processes.