cirrhosis

cirrhosis definition - medical

cir·rho·sis (sĭ-rōˈsĭs)

noun
  1. A chronic disease of the liver characterized by the replacement of normal tissue with fibrous tissue and the loss of functional liver cells. It can result from alcohol abuse, nutritional deprivation, or infection, especially by the hepatitis virus.
  2. Chronic interstitial inflammation of any tissue or organ. Also called fibroid induration.

Related Forms:

  • cir·rhotˈic (-rŏtˈĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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