Which type of jaundice occurs when bilirubin cannot drain properly into bile ducts or the digestive tract?

The type of jaundice that occurs when bilirubin cannot drain properly into the bile ducts or the digestive tract is termed post-hepatic jaundice. This condition arises from obstruction in the biliary system, which can occur due to various reasons such as gallstones, tumors, or strictures in the bile ducts. When bilirubin is produced in the liver, it is normally conjugated and secreted into bile for excretion. However, if there is an obstruction preventing this process, bilirubin builds up in the bloodstream, leading to jaundice.

In post-hepatic jaundice, the elevated levels of conjugated bilirubin result from this blockage. It is crucial to understand that the distinction lies in the cause of the jaundice: post-hepatic focuses specifically on drainage problems after bilirubin has been processed by the liver, whereas other types of jaundice relate to causes that occur before or during bilirubin processing in the liver itself, such as increased production of bilirubin or liver dysfunction.