Which statement best describes cirrhosis?

Which statement best describes cirrhosis?

• A. Progressive destruction of liver parenchymal cells replaced by fibrotic tissue.
• B. Diffuse fatty infiltration of the liver without fibrosis.
• C. Acute inflammation of the gallbladder.
• D. Permanent obstruction of bile ducts.

Answer: (A)

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease defined by progressive destruction of hepatocytes with replacement by fibrous tissue, forming bands and nodules that distort the liver’s architecture. This fibrotic remodeling disrupts normal function and increases resistance to blood flow, leading to portal hypertension and impaired synthetic capacity (such as albumin and clotting factors). That’s why the description focusing on fibrosis replacing functional liver tissue best captures cirrhosis. Fatty infiltration without fibrosis describes hepatic steatosis rather than cirrhosis. Inflammation of the gallbladder is cholecystitis, a biliary issue, and permanent obstruction of bile ducts describes cholestasis or biliary obstruction, not cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease defined by progressive destruction of hepatocytes with replacement by fibrous tissue, forming bands and nodules that distort the liver’s architecture. This fibrotic remodeling disrupts normal function and increases resistance to blood flow, leading to portal hypertension and impaired synthetic capacity (such as albumin and clotting factors). That’s why the description focusing on fibrosis replacing functional liver tissue best captures cirrhosis. Fatty infiltration without fibrosis describes hepatic steatosis rather than cirrhosis. Inflammation of the gallbladder is cholecystitis, a biliary issue, and permanent obstruction of bile ducts describes cholestasis or biliary obstruction, not cirrhosis.