What term describes the hardening of tissue resulting from disease?

The term that most accurately describes the hardening of tissue resulting from disease is "sclerosis." Sclerosis refers to the abnormal hardening of body tissue, often due to an increase in collagen or other components of the extracellular matrix. This condition can occur in various diseases and can affect different types of tissues, including those in the nervous system or blood vessels.

In contrast, atherosclerosis is a specific type of sclerosis that involves the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup. While it shares the "sclerosis" element in its definition, it is limited to cardiovascular concerns. Fibrosis is a broader term that refers to the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue in an organ or tissue as a reparative response, which often results in tissue rigidity but emphasizes the fibrous aspect rather than the general hardening alone. Necrosis pertains to cell death or tissue death due to disease or injury but does not imply the hardening of tissue. Therefore, "sclerosis" is the most appropriate term that encompasses the general concept of tissue hardening as a pathological change.