Common Causes
This chronic liver disease associated with obesity and insulin resistance is now the leading cause of cirrhosis in many developed countries.
What is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/NAFLD)?
This vascular skin finding in cirrhosis consists of a central arteriole with radiating blood vessels and is caused by hyperestrogenism.
What are spider angiomas?
The main histologic process underlying cirrhosis is chronic liver injury leading to this excessive extracellular matrix deposition.
What is fibrosis?
This physical exam finding in cirrhosis is caused by impaired estrogen metabolism leading to glandular breast tissue growth in males.
What is gynecomastia?
This viral hepatitis is most strongly associated with progression to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.
What is Hepatitis C?
A cirrhotic patient develops confusion and asterixis due to accumulation of this neurotoxic substance.
What is ammonia?
Portal hypertension in cirrhosis primarily results from increased resistance to blood flow through this structure.
What are the hepatic sinusoids/liver parenchyma?
A cirrhotic patient vomits blood due to rupture of dilated collateral veins at this location.
What are esophageal varices?
A patient with cirrhosis, diabetes, bronze skin, and restrictive cardiomyopathy likely has cirrhosis caused by this iron-overload disorder.
What is hereditary hemochromatosis?
This complication of portal hypertension occurs when elevated hydrostatic pressure and hypoalbuminemia cause fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity.
What is ascites?
Activation of these liver cells is the key event driving collagen deposition and fibrosis in cirrhosis.
What are hepatic stellate cells (Ito cells)?
This syndrome occurs when severe portal hypertension and splanchnic vasodilation lead to renal vasoconstriction and functional renal failure despite structurally normal kidneys.
What is hepatorenal syndrome?