The Liver

The liver is a large, meaty organ that sits on the right side of the upper abdomen. It is the second largest organ in the body, after the skin. Weighing one and a half kilograms on average, the liver is reddish brown in colour and feels rubbery to the touch. It is protected by the ribcage and therefore it is not easy to palpate.

Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a chronic condition of the liver characterised by abnormal liver function and structure, as a result of damage caused by inflammation of liver cells. Inflammation and regeneration that is associated with dying liver cells leads to the formation of scar tissue. Surviving cells multiply as they try to replace dead cells, resulting in bundles of newly formed liver cells or regenerative nodules within the scar tissue.