Cirrhosis
a chronic nonsuppurative inflammation affecting the interstitial connection or supporting tissues of an organ. The process begins after a more or less hyperæmia of the parts in a growth of new connective tissue which is fibrous in character. This subsequently contracts, and in so doing interferes with the nutrition of the proper physiological tissue of the organ, causes it to atrophy or degenerate, and finally takes its place.
The term was originally applied to the LIVER (q. v.).
CIRRUS (plural, Cirri), the tendril of a plant by means of which it climbs, usually a modified leaf or the prolongation of a midrib. CIRRUS. See CLOUD.