598 



THE LIVER. 



connective tissue appear to be liver cells which have reverted to a sim- 

 pler type (Fig. 364). ' 



The branches of the hepatic and portal veins, particularly the latter, 

 often become obliterated by pressure from the new connective tissue or 

 from chronic thickening of their walls, so as seriously to interfere with 





FIG. 363. CHRONIC INTERSTITIAL HEPATITIS. 



Showing a portion of the section shown in Fig. 361, but more highly magnified. , Portions of liver 

 lobules ; b, new-formed connective tissue ; c, gall ducts, apparently new formed ; d, blood-vessels in the 

 new tissue. 



the functions and nutrition of the liver cells. The bile ducts also may 

 become obliterated, or there may be catarrhal inflammation, especially 

 of the larger trunks. The branches of the hepatic artery are much less 

 liable to alterations than the other vessels. The capsule of the liver 

 is usually thickened, either uniformly or in irregular patches ; or its sur- 

 face may be roughened by larger and smaller papillary projections. 

 The liver is frequently bound to the diaphragm or other adjacent or- 

 gans by connective-tissue adhesions. Amyloid and fatty degeneration 

 may be associated with cirrhosis. Cirrhotic livers frequently show an 

 unusual number of leucocytes in the blood-vessels. 



The obstruction to the portal circulation induced by cirrhosis usu- 

 ally gives rise to a number of secondary lesions, since collateral circu- 

 lation is rarely established in sufficient degree to afford much relief. 

 The haemorrhoidal and vesical veins may be greatly enlarged, and also 

 veins of communication between Glissou's capsule and the diaphrag- 

 matic veins. 



1 For a study of cell regeneration, reversion, etc., see Adami, A. Jacobi's Festschrift, 

 1900, p. 422. 



