feathery degeneration


feathery degeneration

A descriptive term for the changes in cytoplasm of hepatocytes caused by chronic cholestasis secondary to extrahepatic biliary destruction and in bile infarcts; the “feathers” correspond to phospholipids and bile acid crystals, which may be accompanied by an intracellular triad consisting of hydropic swelling, aggregation and reticulation of bile pigment and feathery cytoplasm, due to the toxic effect of bile salts.