How does Alcoholism Affect the Liver Histologically?
Alcoholism has profound effects on the liver, the primary organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to steatosis (fatty liver), characterized by the accumulation of fat droplets within hepatocytes. Prolonged exposure can advance to alcoholic hepatitis, marked by inflammation and necrosis of liver cells. Eventually, this can progress to cirrhosis, where normal liver architecture is replaced by fibrous tissue, leading to impaired liver function and portal hypertension.
