What is the condition characterized by inflammation of the liver?

Hepatitis is indeed the condition characterized by inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be caused by various factors, including viral infections, autoimmune diseases, toxins such as alcohol, and certain medications. Hepatitis can manifest in different forms, such as acute or chronic, and is typically identified by symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and elevated liver enzymes.

In contrast, cirrhosis refers to the scarring of the liver tissue that occurs as a consequence of long-term liver damage, often resulting from chronic hepatitis or alcohol abuse, but it is not primarily characterized by inflammation itself. Fibrosis represents the formation of excess connective tissue or scarring in the liver, which can be a result of chronic inflammation but does not specifically denote inflammation on its own. Steatosis refers to the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can occur as a distinct condition and also complicate hepatitis but does not represent inflammation directly.