Cirrhosis of the liver. Light micrograph of a section through liver tissue affected by cirrhosis, showing a cluster of hepatocyte cells (orange) encircled by a significant excess of reticular (collagen) fibres (black). Cirrhosis of the liver is a disease often caused by viral hepatitis or alcoholism. It is characterised by the destruction of hepatocytes and the constant regeneration, but abnormal production, of fibrous tissue that progressively replaces the islands of hepatocytes. The source of the overproduction of reticular fibres is the hepatic stellate cell. The cirrhotic liver has reduced blood flow leading to venous obstruction in other organs. Magnification: x40 when printed 10 centimetres tall.