What condition is characterized by severe scarring and loss of liver functionality?

Cirrhosis is characterized by severe scarring of the liver, which results from long-term liver damage and ultimately leads to significant loss of liver functionality. In this condition, the normal structure of the liver is replaced by scar tissue, impeding its ability to perform vital functions such as detoxification, protein synthesis, and the production of biochemicals necessary for digestion. The scarring is often the result of chronic diseases, including chronic hepatitis and alcohol abuse, and as the scar tissue accumulates, it disrupts normal blood flow through the liver, further exacerbating its functional decline. The clinical manifestations of cirrhosis can be severe, leading to complications such as portal hypertension, liver failure, and an increased risk of liver cancer.

While fibrosis is related, it specifically refers to the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in the liver and can be an earlier stage of liver disease that may lead to cirrhosis. Hepatitis denotes inflammation of the liver, which can contribute to the progression to cirrhosis but is not itself defined by scarring. Jaundice is a symptom of liver dysfunction characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin but does not describe the condition itself.