Atlas of Pathology
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URBANA ATLAS OF PATHOLOGY

Image Number 77 - Liver, alcoholic cirrhosis, early stage, high power

This is a higher power view of the anterior surface of the liver seen in image 76, with micronodular cirrhosis. Nodularity is a prerequisite for the diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver. The vertical line of white connective tissue in the center of the screen is the reflection of the falciform ligament on the liver. Notice the fine nodules that are found throughout the organ. Cirrhosis is the combined process of inappropriate regeneration of the parenchyma of the liver accompanied by fibrosis. The regeneration is inappropriate because the new vascular architecture contains arterio-venous shunts in the portal system which prevent the perfusion of the parenchyma. Thus, although these nodules are filled with normal appearing hepatocytes, they are really non-functional.


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