Pathology of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Cirrhosis is a late stage finding in chronic liver diseases of different ae tiology. It is defined morphologically as a diffuse process with the presen ce of fibrosis and structurally abnormal nodules. The consequences of cirrh osis are both, mechanical and functional. The mechanical complications resu lt from intra- and extrahepatic shunting of blood and portal hypertension w hile the functional relevance bases upon a failure of liver cells to perfor m their physiological role in metabolism, synthesis and secretion. Beside t hese complications that are directly linked to liver function cirrhosis in itself is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.