A 45-year-old patient was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver. He is thin and malnourished. His abdomen is very large due to an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity. His lower extremities are very swollen
Explain why these changes have occurred.
What will be an ideal response
Cirrhosis is a diffuse and progressive chronic scarring of the liver that typically results from chronic alcoholism or severe chronic hepatitis. Cirrhosis is characterized by extensive degeneration and destruction of the liver parenchymal cells. Edema and ascites (accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity) Occur because the portal blood cannot flow as easily through narrowed, scarred canaliculi, leading to a backup of pressure (portal hypertension) that causes increased filtration loss of fluid through intestinal capillary walls.
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What will be an ideal response?
The ________ is a complex structure produced by the epithelium and cells of the underlying connective tissue.
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