Final answer:
The medical term for the death of liver tissue is 'liver necrosis', often occurring as a result of cirrhosis, which can ultimately lead to loss of liver function and liver failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term used to describe the death of liver tissue is known as 'liver necrosis'. This condition can occur in situations such as cirrhosis, which is the replacement of dead liver cells with fibrous tissue often caused by factors such as viral hepatitis, alcoholism, or exposure to liver-toxic chemicals. This process can lead to progressive loss of liver function. Liver necrosis can cause a buildup of bilirubin in the body, leading to jaundice. If severe, it can result in liver failure, which is categorized into acute and chronic liver failure, each having distinct time frames and associated clinical features such as hepatic encephalopathy and impaired production of liver proteins.