What condition is characterized by yellow skin, whites of the eyes, and mucus membranes?

The condition characterized by yellow skin, the whites of the eyes, and mucous membranes is known as jaundice. This yellowing occurs due to an accumulation of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. When the liver is unable to effectively process bilirubin, it leads to its build-up and subsequently to the noticeable yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Jaundice can serve as a symptom of various underlying issues, such as liver disease, bile duct obstructions, or hemolytic disorders, but the key signs are the yellow discoloration of the skin and sclera (whites of the eyes).

Hyperbilirubinemia directly refers to the elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, which contributes to jaundice but is more a measurement rather than a description of the observable symptoms. Cholecystitis and cirrhosis are both serious conditions that can lead to jaundice but are not synonymous with the yellowing symptoms themselves. Each of these conditions might cause jaundice as a symptom, but the definitive term for the yellow appearance is jaundice.