Chronic inflammation
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The is a gross photograph of a fibrotic so-called, end-stage, kidney and its attached, extremely altered ureter. Chronic inflammation has altered this kidney to the extent that it would be next to impossible to determine the original inciting cause of the inflammatory problem. There has been extensive loss of parenchyma and extensive fibrosis. This kidney and ureter depicts for you how extensive the damage from chronic inflammation can be. There is no doubt that the 5th cardinal sign of inflammation, loss of function, is operative here.