Liver Pathology - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key liver pathology terms from the lecture notes.

Hepatocyte

Parenchymal liver cell that carries out all the liver’s metabolic, synthetic, and detoxification functions.

Diffuse hepatocellular disease

A diffuse liver condition that primarily affects hepatocytes, often elevating hepatic enzymes due to cell necrosis.

Fatty infiltration (fatty liver / steatosis)

Reversible accumulation of triglycerides within hepatocytes, often due to major liver injury or systemic metabolic disorders.

Hepatitis

Inflammation and/or infection of the liver, which can be viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic; ranges from mild inflammation to severe necrosis.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease with parenchymal degeneration and diffuse fibrosis, producing a disorganized lobular architecture and nodularity.

Micronodular cirrhosis

Cirrhosis characterized by small nodules, often associated with chronic alcohol use.

Macronodular cirrhosis

Cirrhosis characterized by large nodules, commonly due to chronic viral hepatitis or other infections.

NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; fatty infiltration not caused by significant alcohol consumption.

NASH

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; fatty liver disease with inflammation and hepatocellular injury.

Glycogen storage disease type I (von Gierke disease)

Inherited disorder with excessive glycogen storage, especially in liver and kidneys.

Hemochromatosis

Iron accumulation in the body, which can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Wilson disease

Copper accumulation due to a copper metabolism defect, affecting the liver and other organs.

Hepatic adenoma

Benign liver tumor, more common in women and linked to oral contraceptives; may rupture; surgical resection if risk of malignant transformation.

Cavernous hemangioma

Most common benign liver tumor; vascular, usually asymptomatic, irregular echogenicity on ultrasound.

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH)

Benign liver mass, often in women under 40; typically subcapsular with a central scar and composed of hepatocytes and fibrous tissue.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Most common primary malignant liver tumor; strongly associated with cirrhosis and hepatitis B; can invade veins and portal system.

Metastatic liver disease

Most common liver neoplasm overall; multiple nodules from primary cancers (e.g., colon, breast, lung) with variable echogenicity.

Hepatoblastoma

Malignant liver tumor in infants/young children (usually <2 years); elevated AFP; associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and FAP.

Infantile hepatic hemangioma

Benign, rapidly growing vascular liver tumor in neonates; may cause congestive heart failure; tends to regress by 12–18 months.

Lymphoma involving the liver

Hepatomegaly with possible focal hypoechoic masses; may occur with systemic lymphoma (Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin).

Pyogenic (bacterial) hepatic abscess

Pus-forming infection of the liver (80% of hepatic abscesses); routes include biliary tract, portal vein, hepatic artery, or contiguous spread.

Amebic abscess

Liver abscess caused by Entamoeba histolytica; portal venous migration from intestinal infection; cavitary necrotic lesion.

Echinococcal cyst (hydatid disease)

Liver cysts from Echinococcus tapeworm; may show water-lily sign and daughter cysts; transmitted via dogs/animals.

Hepatic candidiasis

Candida liver infection in immunocompromised patients; ultrasound may show a wheel-within-a-wheel or bull’s-eye appearance.

Pneumocystis carinii (Pneumocystis jirovecii)

Opportunistic infection common in AIDS and immunocompromised patients; liver involvement patterns range from tiny echogenic foci to diffuse calcific clumps.

Chronic granulomatous disease

Congenital defect in phagocytes impairing bacterial killing; presents with recurrent infections; ultrasound may show poorly marginated hypoechoic mass.

Simple hepatic cyst

Benign cyst in the liver: well-demarcated, thin-walled, anechoic with posterior acoustic enhancement.

Polycystic liver disease

Autosomal dominant condition with multiple hepatic cysts; often associated with polycystic kidney disease.

Elastography

Ultrasound technique that measures tissue stiffness; higher stiffness suggests malignancy or fibrosis; helps stage liver fibrosis.

Biliary obstruction

Blockage of bile flow; proximal (near cystic duct) or distal (bile duct); presents with jaundice, pruritus, and elevated direct bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase.

Passive hepatic congestion

Liver congestion due to congestive heart failure; hepatomegaly with normal to mildly elevated liver function tests.

Starry Night liver (Van Gogh appearance)

Ultrasound appearance of acute hepatitis: liver parenchyma slightly more echogenic with distinctive borders.

Portal hypertension

Increased pressure in the portal venous system, often from cirrhosis, leading to varices, ascites, and splenomegaly.

Budd-Chiari syndrome

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction that can accompany invasive liver cancers or thrombosis, causing hepatomegaly and abdominal symptoms.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

Serum biomarker elevated in hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma.