What term describes the hardening of tissue due to chronic inflammation and injury?

The term that describes the hardening of tissue due to chronic inflammation and injury is fibrosis. Fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components, especially collagen, which leads to scarring and stiffening of the affected tissues. This can occur in response to prolonged injury or inflammation, where the body's repair mechanisms go awry, resulting in a fibrous connective tissue that replaces normal tissue structure. This process can significantly affect the function of organs and tissues, contributing to various health conditions.

In contrast, necrosis refers to the death of cells or tissues in a living organism, typically resulting from a lack of blood supply, infection, or toxins. Regeneration involves the regrowth of tissues to restore their normal structure and function, which is different from fibrosis, as it does not involve the formation of fibrous tissue. Hyperplasia is an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, usually in response to a stimulus, and does not specifically relate to the hardening of tissues due to chronic conditions. Thus, fibrosis is the most accurate term for the hardening of tissue in the context of chronic inflammation and injury.