INDIRECT BILIRUBIN Meaning and
Definition
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Indirect bilirubin, also known as unconjugated bilirubin, is a term used in the field of medicine to describe a specific form of bilirubin, a yellow pigment compound that is formed during the breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin is a byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells.
Indirect bilirubin exists in the bloodstream in an unconjugated form, meaning it is not water-soluble and cannot be excreted directly by the body. It is produced when red blood cells are broken down in the spleen and liver, and is transported to the liver bound to albumin, a protein.
In the liver, indirect bilirubin is conjugated, or chemically modified, through the addition of glucuronic acid. This conjugation process makes the bilirubin water-soluble and allows it to be excreted from the body in bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Once in the intestines, bilirubin is further converted by bacteria into a compound called urobilinogen, which contributes to the color of feces.
An elevated level of indirect bilirubin in the blood can indicate various conditions, such as liver diseases, hemolytic disorders (where red blood cells are destroyed at an abnormal rate), or certain inherited conditions that impede the conjugation process. Measurements of indirect bilirubin levels are commonly performed as part of liver function tests to assess liver health and diagnose specific medical conditions.
Common Misspellings for INDIRECT BILIRUBIN
- undirect bilirubin
- jndirect bilirubin
- kndirect bilirubin
- ondirect bilirubin
- 9ndirect bilirubin
- 8ndirect bilirubin
- ibdirect bilirubin
- imdirect bilirubin
- ijdirect bilirubin
- ihdirect bilirubin
- insirect bilirubin
- inxirect bilirubin
- incirect bilirubin
- infirect bilirubin
- inrirect bilirubin
- ineirect bilirubin
- indurect bilirubin
- indjrect bilirubin
- indkrect bilirubin
- indorect bilirubin
Etymology of INDIRECT BILIRUBIN
The word "indirect" in the term "indirect bilirubin" is derived from the Latin word "in-" meaning "not" or "opposite". "Direct" bilirubin refers to bilirubin that is conjugated (chemically modified) and water-soluble, while "indirect" bilirubin refers to bilirubin that is unconjugated (not chemically modified) and insoluble in water.
The word "bilirubin" comes from the combination of two separate roots: "bilis" meaning "bile" in Latin, and "ruber" meaning "red" in Latin. It is called "bilirubin" because it is a yellowish-red pigment that is found in bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver.
