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Case Study of Liver Cirrhosis
Case Study of Liver Cirrhosis
Case Study of Liver Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis of the liver is a chronic disease that causes cell destruction and fibrosis
(scarring) of hepatic tissue. Fibrosis alters normal liver structure and vasculature,
impairing blood and lymph flow and resulting in hepatic insufficiency and hypertension in
the portal vein. Complications include hyponatremia, water retention, bleeding esophageal
varices. Coagulopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and hepatic encephalopathy.
The liver is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the
diaphragm and on top of the stomach, right kidney and intestines. The liver, a dark
reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds, has multiple functions.
There are two distinct sources that supply blood to the liver:
The liver consists of two main lobes, both of which are made up of thousands of lobules.
These lobules are connected to small ducts that connect with larger ducts to ultimately
form the hepatic duct. The hepatic duct transports the bile produced by the liver cells to
the gallbladder and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine).