Quantitative histological aspects of liver cirrhosis.

In human liver cirrhosis and other liver diseases relatively large nuclei are found with finely meshed chromatin and large nucleoli which do not occur in liver of individuals without liver disease. The number of tetraploid nuclei near central veins and portal areas in normal livers is not statistically significantly increased in comparison with the surrounding areas. The percentage of diploid nuclei in these livers varies from 80-95 per cent. There are definite differences in the number of adjacent microscopical fields of view with an increased degree of polyploidy when livers of normal individuals are compared with livers from patients with suspected liver disease and patients with liver cirrhosis. The increased degree of polyploidy in the last two groups can be considered as sign of regeneration.