Final answer:
Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease where healthy liver tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue, often caused by hepatitis, alcoholism, or exposure to liver-toxic chemicals, leading to loss of function and potentially necessitating a liver transplant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disease represented at the end stage of liver failure that occurs when functional liver tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue is known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is caused by several factors which may include viral hepatitis, alcoholism, or exposure to other liver-toxic chemicals. This condition leads to the progressive loss of liver function as the fibrous tissue cannot perform the tasks of healthy liver cells.
Ascites is one common complication of cirrhosis, causing fluid retention in the abdominal cavity. Over time, portal hypertension may occur due to the obstruction of blood passage through the scarred liver, leading to serious health complications. Since the liver can no longer properly detoxify the blood, hepatic encephalopathy may also occur, further impairing brain function. In severe cases, the only recourse may be a liver transplant.