[Pathology of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension]

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.