Fatty liver. Gross clinical specimen of a sectioned human liver with steatosis or fatty liver. This condition results in the abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. It occurs in heavy drinkers and alcoholics, where high levels of alcohol in the blood disturbs normal fat metabolism. Although it can also be caused by hypoxia, toxins or diabetes mellitus. The prognosis is poor for those with alcohol problems, as most carry on abusing. For those who abstain resolution is slow, but possible with medical intervention.