Why might choledocolithiasis cause jaundice?

Answer 1

well, you see.. jaundice is caused by the elevation of UNCONJUGATED bilirubin level in our blood.. a high level of unconjugated bilirubin in blood will enter our body tissue and make our skin looks yellow.

bilirubin is metabolized in the liver, thus making the unconjugated bilirubin changed into conjugated one. and these conjugated bilirubin will be excreted to our intestine and it will give color to our urine an feces.


in patients with choledocolithiasis, there is an obstruction caused by the gallstone inside the duct where conjugated bilirubin should be excreted.. this obstruction makes the liver unable to metabolize the unconjugated bilirubin, and so the level of unconjugated bilirubin will rise, having effect of jaundice.