Final answer:
The medical term for inflammation of the liver is hepatitis. It can be caused by several factors, most commonly viruses. Hepatitis is distinct from hepatomegaly, cirrhosis, and ascites, which are different liver conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term for inflammation of the liver is hepatitis. This condition can be caused by various factors, including viral infection, poisons, autoimmunity, or hereditary conditions. In terms of viral infection, there are five main hepatitis viruses of clinical significance: hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), D (HDV), and E (HEV).
Hepatomegaly refers to an enlargement of the liver and is not synonymous with inflammation. Cirrhosis is a separate condition that involves the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver, leading to progressive loss of liver function, and is a result of chronic damage from conditions such as viral hepatitis or alcoholism. Ascites is a complication of cirrhosis, where fluid accumulates in the abdominal cavity.