Progressive effects of ethanol on the liver

Table of Contents

Progressive effects of ethanol on the liver

Gross anatomy of a normal liver. (Isn’t it beautiful?)

Histologic section of a normal liver. Notice the regular arrangement of tissue blocks. Beautiful, isn’t it?

With continued exposure to ethanol, there is a disruption in the normal patterns of metabolism, with accompanying fatty infiltration. This is a gross view.

At the microscopic view, the infiltration of fatty cells is very obvious. Adipose have large fat vacuoles that appear clear under cross-section. This damage IS reversible, although it will take a while.

With continued exposure to ethanol, sections of the liver will die, as evidenced by these micronodules.

A closer view of the micronodules

Photomicrograph of micronodular liver, showing disappearance of lovely blocks of healthy tissue.

Alcoholism is a progressive disease

Email: seisen

Home Page: http://www.cbu.edu/~seisen/

Other information:
A look at the progressive changes in the gross anatomy and histology of the liver with continued exposure to ethanol