What histologic finding is the hallmark of cirrhosis?

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Multiple Choice

What histologic finding is the hallmark of cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis arises from chronic liver injury that drives fibrous scarring and regeneration, leading to architectural distortion of the liver. The key histologic feature is bridging fibrous septa that connect portal tracts and central veins, accompanied by regenerative hepatocyte nodules forming a nodular architecture. In other words, fibrous tissue forms bridging bands and the liver parenchyma regenerates into nodules, which together define cirrhosis. Other patterns don’t fit: inflammation around portal tracts without fibrosis isn’t cirrhosis; fibrosis without nodular regeneration isn’t the advanced architectural change that characterizes cirrhosis; granulomatous inflammation around bile ducts suggests other diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis.

Cirrhosis arises from chronic liver injury that drives fibrous scarring and regeneration, leading to architectural distortion of the liver. The key histologic feature is bridging fibrous septa that connect portal tracts and central veins, accompanied by regenerative hepatocyte nodules forming a nodular architecture. In other words, fibrous tissue forms bridging bands and the liver parenchyma regenerates into nodules, which together define cirrhosis.

Other patterns don’t fit: inflammation around portal tracts without fibrosis isn’t cirrhosis; fibrosis without nodular regeneration isn’t the advanced architectural change that characterizes cirrhosis; granulomatous inflammation around bile ducts suggests other diseases such as primary biliary cholangitis.

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