Final answer:
Permanent damage resulting in liver scar tissue is known as cirrhosis, not fatty liver. Fatty liver involves the excessive accumulation of fats, while cirrhosis is the replacement of liver cells with fibrous tissue, leading to diminished function. Causes of cirrhosis can range from alcoholism and infections to hereditary conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Permanent damage to the liver that results in scar tissue is not known as fatty liver, but rather cirrhosis. Fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis, is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of fats in the liver. This condition can be physiological, due to increased fatty acid mobilization as seen in starvation or certain hormonal imbalances, or pathological, as a result of alcoholism or liver infections.
Cirrhosis, on the other hand, is the end-stage of liver damage where fibrous tissue replaces dead liver cells, leading to the progressive loss of liver function. Causes of cirrhosis include viral hepatitis, alcoholism, and exposure to liver-toxic chemicals, such as those found in some medications. Chronic liver failure often arises from cirrhosis, which may be attributed to various factors, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune disorders, or hereditary diseases like haemochromatosis that cause an accumulation of iron in the body, potentially leading to liver damage.
Additionally, cancer can also affect the liver, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic cancers contributing to liver dysfunction.