Ikteros

Ikteros is a term that has seen varying usage and meaning throughout history, often related to medical conditions and more generally to the concept of jaundice. Historically, it was used to describe a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes, a symptom now commonly understood as icterus or jaundice, which is caused by an excess of bilirubin in the blood. This yellowish hue can be indicative of liver problems, blood disorders, or obstructions in the bile ducts.

In some older medical contexts, ikteros might have been used more broadly to encompass a range of illnesses associated with this yellowing symptom, without necessarily pinpointing the exact underlying cause. The term itself is derived from Greek, relating to the color yellow. While modern medical terminology strongly favors "icterus" or "jaundice" for the clinical sign, "ikteros" can still be found in historical texts or in discussions where a broader, less specific reference to the yellowish condition is intended. The significance of ikteros, regardless of the specific terminology used, has always been its role as a visible sign that prompts medical investigation into the body's internal health.