What is "ulcer"

Ulcer \Ul"cer\, n. [F. ulc[`e]re, L. ulcus, gen. ulceris, akin to Gr. ?.]

1. (Med.) A solution of continuity in any of the soft parts of the body, discharging purulent matter, found on a surface, especially one of the natural surfaces of the body, and originating generally in a constitutional disorder; a sore discharging pus. It is distinguished from an abscess, which has its beginning, at least, in the depth of the tissues.

2. Fig.: Anything that festers and corrupts like an open sore; a vice in character.

   Cold ulcer (Med.), an ulcer on a finger or toe, due to deficient circulation and nutrition. In such cases the extremities are cold.

Ulcer \Ul"cer\, v. t. To ulcerate. [R.]
--Fuller.

c.1400, from Old French ulcere, from Vulgar Latin ulcerem, from Latin ulcus (genitive ulceris) "ulcer, a sore," figuratively "painful subject," from PIE *elk-es- "wound" (cognates: Greek elkos "a wound, sore, ulcer," Sanskrit Related: arsah "hemorrhoids").

n. 1 (context pathology English) An open sore of the skin, eyes or mucous membrane, often caused by an initial abrasion and generally maintained by an inflammation and/or an infection. 2 (context pathology English) peptic ulcer 3 (context figurative English) Anything that festers and corrupts like an open sore; a vice in character.

n. a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue [syn: ulceration]

An ulcer is a sore on the skin or a mucous membrane, accompanied by the disintegration of tissue. Ulcers can result in complete loss of the epidermis and often portions of the dermis and even subcutaneous fat. Ulcers are most common on the skin of the lower extremities and in the gastrointestinal tract. An ulcer that appears on the skin is often visible as an inflamed tissue with an area of reddened skin. A skin ulcer is often visible in the event of exposure to heat or cold, irritation, or a problem with blood circulation. They can also be caused due to a lack of mobility, which causes prolonged pressure on the tissues. This stress in the blood circulation is transformed to a skin ulcer, commonly known as bedsores or decubitus ulcers. Ulcers often become infected, and pus forms.

An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes the organ of which that membrane is a part from continuing its normal functions. Common forms of ulcers recognized in medicine include:

• Ulcer (dermatology), a discontinuity of the skin or a break in the skin.
  • Pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores
  • Genital ulcer, an ulcer located on the genital area
  • Ulcerative dermatitis, a skin disorder associated with bacterial growth often initiated by self-trauma
  • Anal fissure, A.K.A an ulcer or tear near the anus or within the rectum
  • Diabetic foot ulcer, a major complication of the diabetic foot
• Corneal ulcer, an inflammatory or infective condition of the cornea
• Mouth ulcer, an open sore inside the mouth.
  • Aphthous ulcer, a specific type of oral ulcer also known as a canker sore
• Peptic ulcer, a discontinuity of the gastrointestinal mucosa (stomach ulcer)
• Venous ulcer, a wound thought to occur due to improper functioning of valves in the veins
• Stress ulcer, located anywhere within the stomach and proximal duodenum
• Ulcerative sarcoidosis, a cutaneous condition affecting people with sarcoidosis
• Ulcerative lichen planus, a rare variant of lichen planus
• Ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Ulcerative disposition, a disorder or discomfort that causes severe abdominal distress, often associated with chronic gastritis

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Category:Surgery

An ulcer is a medical condition caused by a break in a bodily membrane. Ulcer or ulceration may also refer to:

• Fear Factory, an American industrial metal band formerly known as "Ulceration"
• Ulcer index, a stock market risk measure or technical analysis indicator devised by Peter Martin in 1987