Amyloid Degeneration Of The Liver results from long-continued suppuration, as in chronic tuberculosis, in suppurative bone diseases, and is usually accompanied by similar degeneration elsewhere. The liver is larger than normal, a little pale in color, and is quite firm. The cut surface frequently appears quite translucent and may be a grayish-white or a dull yellow color.

The degeneration begins in the wall of the intralobular capillaries, which become much thickened; so much so that the blood-supply may become obstructed. Pressure is also exerted upon the adjacent liver-cells, many of which undergo atrophy. The peripheral zone is the one in which the change is first noticed, and from there it extends toward the center of the lobule. The connective tissue is also involved and the affected areas may become very extensive. As the epithelium is involved secondarily the organ is able to carry on its function as long as a sufficiently large number of cells do not become atrophic.