Sclerosis (from Ancient Greek σκληρός (sklērós)'hard') is the stiffening of atissue or anatomical feature, usually caused by a replacement of the normalorgan-specific tissue withconnective tissue. The structure may be said to have undergone sclerotic changes or display scleroticlesions, which refers to the process of sclerosis.
Common medical conditions whose pathology involves sclerosis include:
Systemic sclerosis (progressive systemicscleroderma), a rare, chronic disease which affects the skin, and in some cases also blood vessels and internal organs.
Tuberous sclerosis, a rare genetic disease which affects multiple systems.
