Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Hepatic cirrhosis is the end-stage morphological outcome of chronic liver injury characterized by diffuse parenchymal destruction, regenerative nodule formation, and bridging fibrous scarring.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Gross and histopathological features of Hepatic Cirrhosis:
1. Degeneration and Necrosis of Hepatocytes (C): Continuous ongoing hepatocyte apoptosis, hydropic degeneration, and cell loss.
2. Atrophy and Fibrotic Contraction of Liver (E): Progressive loss of functional parenchymal mass leads to marked overall atrophy, shrunken size, increased firmness (induration), and irregular surface nodularity (hobnail appearance).
3. Complete disruption and loss of normal lobular architecture (ruling out A).
4. Massive increase (deposition) of extracellular collagenous connective tissue matrix (ruling out D).
Thus, post-mortem findings C and E are characteristic.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Hence, the findings recorded are C and E only, matching option (D).