Liver Pathology Notes

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to liver pathology, designed for exam preparation.

Hepatic failure

A severe impairment of liver function characterized by jaundice, hypoalbuminemia, hyperammonemia, and other systemic effects.

Jaundice

A yellowish pigmentation of the skin and eyes caused by high bilirubin levels; can result from excessive production, reduced uptake, impaired conjugation, or bile flow obstruction.

Palmar erythema

Redness of the palms associated with liver disease, particularly due to impaired metabolism of estrogen.

Asterixis

A type of tremor characterized by a sudden loss of tone in extended hands, often seen in hepatic encephalopathy.

Ascites

Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often due to portal hypertension, liver failure, or cirrhosis.

Portal hypertension

Increased blood pressure in the portal venous system due to resistance in blood flow, often leading to varices, ascites, and splenomegaly.

Cirrhosis

Progressive replacement of normal liver tissue with fibrous scar tissue, leading to structural and functional impairment of the liver.

Hepatitis A virus

A virus causing benign and self-limited liver infection, primarily spread by contaminated food and water.

Hepatitis B virus

A DNA virus causing liver infection that can lead to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis C virus

A RNA virus responsible for chronic hepatitis and significant risk of progression to cirrhosis.

Alcoholic liver disease

Liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption, manifesting as fatty liver, hepatitis, or cirrhosis.

Hemochromatosis

Iron overload condition leading to damage of multiple organs including the liver, and increased risk of liver cancer.

Wilson’s disease

Genetic disorder resulting in copper accumulation in the liver and other organs, causing liver disease and neurological symptoms.

Alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency

Genetic condition that leads to a deficiency of the protease inhibitor, causing liver and lung disease.

Familial Mediterranean fever

Genetic disorder that can affect liver function, marked by recurrent fevers and serositis.

Cholelithiasis

Formation of stones in the gallbladder, commonly cholesterol stones; risk factors include female gender, obesity, and age.

Cholecystitis

Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to obstruction by gallstones.

Carcinoma of the gallbladder

Malignancy of the gallbladder most often associated with gallstones, with a poor prognosis.

Hepatic encephalopathy

A decline in brain function that occurs as a result of severe liver disease, characterized by altered mental status, confusion, and asterixis, due to the accumulation of toxins normally cleared by the liver.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

The most common form of liver cancer, often developing in patients with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or cirrhosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

A condition characterized by fat accumulation in the liver in individuals who drink little to no alcohol, ranging from simple fatty liver (steatosis) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to cirrhosis.

Varices

Enlarged and tortuous veins, typically found in the esophagus or stomach, that develop as a result of increased pressure in the portal venous system (portal hypertension), carrying a risk of severe bleeding.

Splenomegaly

Enlargement of the spleen, often caused by portal hypertension, leading to increased sequestration and destruction of blood cells.

Kupffer cells

Specialized macrophages located in the liver (lining the sinusoids) that are part of the reticuloendothelial system, responsible for phagocytosis of bacteria, toxins, and old blood cells.

Bilirubin

A yellowish pigment produced from the breakdown of heme (from red blood cells); high levels can cause jaundice, and it is processed and excreted by the liver.

Hepatic stellate cells

Liver cells located in the space of Disse that store vitamin A but, when activated by liver injury, transform into myofibroblast-like cells, producing extracellular matrix components and contributing to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.