cholesterol metabolism, the sum of the anabolic and catabolic processes in the synthesis and degradation of cholesterol in the body. Serum cholesterol level is increased when it is ingested and is quickly absorbed. Cholesterol is also synthesized in the liver and can be synthesized by most other body tissues. As more cholesterol is ingested, less is synthesized by the body. Cholesterol is removed from the body by degradation in the liver and excretion in the bile.
