Hydrobilirubin is a medical term used to refer to a water-soluble form of bilirubin, which is a yellowish substance produced during the breakdown of old red blood cells. The spelling of the word "Hydrobilirubin" can be explained through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as [haɪdrəʊbɪlɪruːbɪn]. The /h/ at the beginning of the word is pronounced as "h," while the /r/ sound is rolled or tapped in some accents. The stress falls on the second syllable, and the final /ɪn/ sound is pronounced as "in."
Hydrobilirubin is a chemical compound that is generated during the breakdown of bilirubin, a yellow pigment found in bile. Bile is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, which plays a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of dietary fats. Bilirubin is a waste product resulting from the breakdown of red blood cells in the body.
Hydrobilirubin specifically refers to the water-soluble form of bilirubin, which is easily excreted from the body through urine and stool. When bilirubin is produced by the liver, it initially exists in an unconjugated or indirect form, which is not readily soluble in water. However, it undergoes a process called conjugation in the liver, where it combines with a substance called glucuronic acid to form hydrobilirubin.
Hydrobilirubin is then released into the bile and transported to the intestines, where it aids in the breakdown and absorption of fats. It is further converted by bacteria in the intestines into stercobilin, which gives stool its characteristic brown color. In addition, a small proportion of hydrobilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines and circulated back to the liver, where it undergoes further processing.
Elevated levels of hydrobilirubin in the body can indicate liver dysfunction or impaired bilirubin metabolism. Conditions such as jaundice, hepatitis, or gallstones can disrupt the normal production, conjugation, or excretion of bilirubin, leading to an accumulation of hydrobilirubin in the blood and tissues. Monitoring hydrobilirubin levels is an important diagnostic tool for assessing liver function.
A substance, thought to be a derivative of bilirubin, found sometimes in the urine in cases of fever.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Hydrobilirubin" is derived from the combination of three components: "hydro-", "bili-", and "rubin".
1. "Hydro-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "hydor", meaning water. In scientific terminology, this prefix usually indicates the presence or involvement of water or hydroxyl groups.
2. "Bili-" is derived from "bilirubin", which is a pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is typically found in the bile and plays a role in the excretion of waste material from the liver.
3. "Rubin" is derived from "ruber", which is the Latin word for red. This component emphasizes the reddish color of the compound being referred to.