Intracellular accumulations of substances can occur in the cytoplasm or nucleus of cells. Mild accumulations cause reversible cell injury, while severe accumulations result in irreversible injury. Abnormal intracellular accumulations fall into three categories: accumulations of normal cell constituents like lipids and proteins; accumulations of abnormal substances from abnormal metabolism; and accumulations of pigments, both endogenous like melanin and lipofuscin, and exogenous pigments. Fatty liver is a common site of fat accumulation and can range from mild and reversible to severe and irreversible. The pathogenesis of fatty liver involves defects in the normal processes of fat transport and metabolism in the liver.