Fatty liver (commonly known as liver fat) is characterized by the deposition of triglycerides and cholesterol within hepatocytes, a condition called steatosis. Fatty liver is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide , with an estimated one in three people in the general population suffering from liver steatosis.

As of the summer of 2023, the official name for fatty liver is Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). The advantages of this new name (MASLD) include highlighting the close relationship between this liver disease and metabolic syndrome (Metabolic dysfunction-associated).

Indeed, most patients suffering from MASLD are usually overweight or obese, while they very often suffer from dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus within the context of the so-called metabolic syndrome.