title: [Pathology of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension].
abstract: Cirrhosis is a late stage finding in chronic liver diseases of different aetiology. It is defined morphologically as a diffuse process with the presence of fibrosis and structurally abnormal nodules. The consequences of cirrhosis are both, mechanical and functional. The mechanical complications result from intra- and extrahepatic shunting of blood and portal hypertension while the functional relevance bases upon a failure of liver cells to perform their physiological role in metabolism, synthesis and secretion. Beside these complications that are directly linked to liver function cirrhosis in itself is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Pathologisches Institut der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 220, 69120 Heidelberg.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bläker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Theuer
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Otto
mesh_terms: D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology