bilirubin

[ bil-uh-roo-bin, bil-uh-roo-bin ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a reddish bile pigment, C 33 H 36 O 6 N 4 , resulting from the degradation of heme by reticuloendothelial cells in the liver: a high level in the blood produces the yellow skin symptomatic of jaundice.

bilirubin

/ ˌbɪlɪˈruːbɪn; ˌbaɪ- /

noun

1. an orange-yellow pigment in the bile formed as a breakdown product of haemoglobin. Excess amounts in the blood produce the yellow appearance associated with jaundice. Formula: C 32 H 36 O 6 N 4

bilirubin

/ bĭl′ĭ-ro̅o̅′bĭn /

1. A reddish-yellow pigment that is a constituent of bile and gives it its color. Bilirubin is a porphyrin derived from the degradation of heme. It is often a constituent of gallstones, and also causes the skin discoloration seen in jaundice. Chemical formula: C 33 H 36 N 4 O 6 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of bilirubin¹

< German Bilirubin (1864), equivalent to Latin bīli ( s ) bile + rub ( er ) red + German -in -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bilirubin¹

C19: from bile ¹+ Latin ruber red + -in

Example Sentences

When poop moves too quickly through your body, the bilirubin in the bile does not have enough time to be broken down to form stercobilin, which would make it browner.

From No Straight News

In catarrhal conditions of the small intestine bilirubin may be carried through unchanged.

From Project Gutenberg

The stools of infants are yellow, owing partly to their milk diet and partly to the presence of unchanged bilirubin.

From Project Gutenberg

It may assume a greenish hue after standing, owing to oxidation of bilirubin into biliverdin.

From Project Gutenberg

The modern view of hmatogenous jaundice had its origin in the supposed discovery of the identity of hmatoidin with bilirubin.

From Project Gutenberg

The union of bilirubin and lime salts illustrates the same principle.

From Project Gutenberg