Alternate Names : Liver cirrhosis
Definition
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function as a result of chronic liver disease.
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Cirrhosis is caused by chronic liver disease. Common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States include:
- Hepatitis C infection
- Long-term alcohol abuse (see alcoholic liver disease)
Other causes of cirrhosis include:
- Autoimmune inflammation of the liver
- Disorders of the drainage system of the liver (the biliary system), such as primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis
- Hepatitis B
- Medications
- Metabolic disorders of iron and copper (hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease)
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Pictures & Images
Digestive system
The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.
Liver cirrhosis, CT scan
A CT scan of the upper abdomen showing cirrhosis of the liver.
Clubbing
Clubbing may result from chronic low blood-oxygen levels. This can be seen with cystic fibrosis, congenital cyanotic heart disease, and several other diseases. The tips of the fingers enlarge and the nails become extremely curved from front to back.
Digestive system organs
The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.
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Cirrhosis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Cirrhosis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Cirrhosis : Treatment
Review Date : 10/18/2009
Reviewed By : George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
