Disease or Syndrome
liver cirrhosis
[ liv-er cir-rho-sis ]
Subclass of:
Liver diseases;
Fibrosis
Definitions related to liver cirrhosis:
-
(cirrhosis) A chronic degenerative disease of the liver characterized by parenchymal nodularity and fibrosis.NICHD Pediatric TerminologyU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(cirrhosis) A chronic disorder of the liver in which liver tissue becomes scarred and is partially replaced by regenerative nodules and fibrotic tissue resulting in loss of liver function.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
-
(cirrhosis) A disorder characterized by replacement of the liver parenchyma with fibrous tissue and regenerative nodules. It is usually caused by alcoholism, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Complications include the development of ascites, esophageal varices, bleeding, and hepatic encephalopathy.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(cirrhosis) A type of chronic, progressive liver disease in which liver cells are replaced by scar tissue.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(cirrhosis) Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Scar tissue forms because of injury or long-term disease. Scar tissue cannot do what healthy liver tissue does - make protein, help fight infections, clean the blood, help digest food and store energy. Cirrhosis can lead to Easy bruising or bleeding, or nosebleeds; Swelling of the abdomen or legs; Extra sensitivity to medicines; High blood pressure in the vein entering the liver; Enlarged veins called varices in the esophagus and stomach. Varices can bleed suddenly.; Kidney failure; Jaundice; Severe itching; Gallstones. A small number of people with cirrhosis get liver cancer. Your doctor will diagnose cirrhosis with blood tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy. Cirrhosis has many causes. In the United States, the most common causes are chronic alcoholism and hepatitis. Nothing will make the scar tissue disappear, but treating the cause can keep it from getting worse. If too much scar tissue forms, you may need to consider a liver transplant. NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
-
Cirrhosis is the widespread distortion of the liver's internal structure that occurs when a large amount of normal liver tissue is permanently replaced with nonfunctioning scar tissue. The scar tissue develops when the liver is damaged repeatedly or continuously.Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> L
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.