Liver Cirrhosis at 10x Magnification

In the early stages of cirrhosis, the liver expands and takes on a yellowish hue due to an increase in the presence of adipose tissue, which may also be accompanied by an increase in fibrous scar tissue and bile ducts. Over time, the liver develops a granular consistency due to an even greater proportion of fibrous tissue, and the blood vessels passing through the organ thicken, often hindering blood flow. In the final stages of liver degeneration, the organ substantially reduces in size and completely loses it typical lobular organization. At this point all fat in the organ has disappeared and all that remains is greatly damaged liver tissue.