STERCOBILIN Meaning and
Definition
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Stercobilin is a yellow-brown pigment that is derived from the breakdown of bilirubin, a waste product of hemoglobin metabolism in red blood cells. It is formed during the final stages of digestion and is primarily found in the feces or stool of humans and other mammals, giving it its characteristic brown color.
Chemically, stercobilin is a water-insoluble compound belonging to the class of tetrapyrroles. It is produced in the intestines through the degradation of bilirubin, a yellow pigment that is released when red blood cells are broken down. Stercobilin is subsequently formed by bacterial action on the unconjugated bilirubin that reaches the large intestine. This process helps in the excretion of waste products from the body.
Stercobilin plays a crucial role in the coloration of feces and is responsible for the typical brown appearance. Its formation and excretion contribute to the elimination of bilirubin, which in excess can lead to jaundice, a condition characterized by a yellowing of the skin and eyes.
In addition to its role in fecal coloration, stercobilin has also been of interest to researchers due to its potential applications as a biomarker for various medical conditions. Its levels in the stool can provide insights into the functioning of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, making it useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of certain liver diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and even colorectal cancer.
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A brown coloring matter, derived from the bile, present in the feces.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for STERCOBILIN
- atercobilin
- ztercobilin
- xtercobilin
- dtercobilin
- etercobilin
- wtercobilin
- srercobilin
- sfercobilin
- sgercobilin
- syercobilin
- s6ercobilin
- s5ercobilin
- stwrcobilin
- stsrcobilin
- stdrcobilin
- strrcobilin
- st4rcobilin
- st3rcobilin
- steecobilin
- stedcobilin
Etymology of STERCOBILIN
The word "Stercobilin" has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "stercus", which means feces or dung, and the suffix "-bilin", which is derived from "bile". Stercobilin is a compound found in feces and is responsible for its characteristic brown color.
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