What condition is indicated by 'icterus'?

'Icterus' refers specifically to the yellowing of the sclera, which is the white part of the eye, resulting from an excess of bilirubin in the bloodstream. This condition is often associated with liver dysfunction, hemolysis, or bile duct obstruction. When bilirubin levels rise, it deposits in various tissues, including the skin and the sclera, leading to the characteristic yellow appearance.

The other options describe different medical conditions or phenomena but do not relate to what icterus signifies. For instance, bright red patches in the conjunctiva indicate conditions like conjunctival hemorrhage, while benign tumors of blood vessels are known as hemangiomas, and hardened areas of soft tissue are usually related to fibromas or similar lesions. None of these are connected to the accumulation of bilirubin or the resultant yellowing of the eyes that defines icterus.