Hepatitis is mainly characterized by what type of injury to hepatocytes?

Hepatitis is primarily characterized by inflammatory necrosis of hepatocytes, which refers to the death of liver cells due to inflammation. In the context of hepatitis, this inflammation can be caused by various factors, such as viral infections, autoimmune responses, or exposure to toxins. The necrosis occurs as the immune system responds to the infection or injury, leading to an inflammatory response that often results in cell damage or death.

Inflammatory necrosis is a crucial aspect of the pathophysiology of hepatitis because it is indicative of the ongoing liver damage and the body's attempt to combat the underlying cause of the hepatitis. The presence of inflammatory cells in the liver, along with the necrosis of hepatocytes, can be seen in liver biopsies from patients with hepatitis. This process can lead to the clinical manifestations of hepatitis, including jaundice, fatigue, and elevated liver enzymes in the bloodstream.

In contrast, fibrosis and cirrhosis represent later stages of liver damage resulting from chronic inflammation and injury. These conditions involve the progressive scarring and regeneration of the liver tissue, but they do not define the acute phase characterized by inflammatory necrosis. Atrophy would imply a reduction in cell size or number, which is not the primary mechanism in hepatitis.

Therefore,