Alcohol abuse and addiction
Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse
Introduction Alcohol is the most dangerous addictive drug in the world. It kills around 15 Australians every day. Alcohol abuse is widespread in Western Society, and is a common presenting…
Mallory body seen on histology. Mallory bodies are eosinophilic inclusions that have a "rope-like" appearance. Note the highlights body on this image. This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Alcoholic Hepatitis
Introduction Alcoholic hepatitis is a very common cause of liver injury. It is caused by excessive alcohol intake. Typically there will be steatosis of the liver. In this pathological change, fat globules…
Jaundice with scleral icterus. This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Bilirubin Metabolism and Jaundice
Production of Bilirubin Every haem molecule will produce one molecule of bilirubin. These molecules are found in haemoglobin and myoglobin. Also, cytochrome enzymes will also produce one molecule of bilirubin.…
Image of liver showing hepatomeagaly
Causes of Hepatomegaly
Hepatomegaly describes an enlarged liver. There are many causes of hepatomegaly, and learning some mnemonics might help you to memorise some of them! Sometimes it is associated with an enlarged spleen -…
Cirrhosis of the liver
Clinical Consequences of Liver Disease
Vitamins A, D, E and K are all stored in the liver, as is vitamin B12. Therefore, in liver damage, storage of these is reduced. Portal circulation Note that there…
Epsteine Barr Virus. This electron microscopic image of two Epstein Barr Virus virions (viral particles) shows round capsids—protein-encased genetic material—loosely surrounded by the membrane envelope. This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
EBV – Epstein Barr Virus
Introduction Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a type of human herpes virus. It is extremely widespread, and is contracted by close person to person contact. It can cause a wide range…
Haemochromatosis Histology. Micrograph of hemochromatosis liver showing hepatocytes with coarse golden yellow granules of hemosiderin within the cytoplasm. These granules stain with Prussian blue stain. This file is taken from wikimedia commons and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Haemochromatosis
Introduction The term haemochromatosis is usually used to describe a group of autosomal recessive disorders of iron metabolism. It is sometime called hereditary haemochromatosis and abbreviated to HHC. The most…
Pathology of hepatorenal syndrome
Hepatorenal Syndrome (HRS)
Introduction Hepatorenal syndrome is renal failure secondary to liver disease. It is a life-threatening acute complication of liver failure. It is most commonly seen in alcoholic hepatitis, although can occur…
Liver lobule
Liver Physiology
Function The two roles of the liver are: Processing of absorbed materials Excretion of unwanted products and secretion of stuff to help with fat digestion Structure The liver is divided…