An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing out of inflamed necrotic tissue." Common forms of ulcers recognized in medicine include:
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Ulcer (dermatology)
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 ...
, a discontinuity of the skin or a break in the skin.
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Pressure ulcer
Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure sores, bed sores or pressure injuries, are localised damage to the skin and/or underlying tissue that usually occur over a bony prominence as a result of usually long-term pressure, or pressure in combi ...
s, also known as bedsores
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Genital ulcer, an ulcer located on the genital area
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Ulcerative dermatitis
Ulcerative dermatitis is a skin disorder in rodents associated with bacterial growth often initiated by self-trauma due to a possible allergic response. Although other organisms can be involved, bacteria culture frequently shows Staphylococcus aure ...
, a skin disorder associated with bacterial growth often initiated by self-trauma
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Anal fissure
An anal fissure is a break or tear in the skin of the anal canal. Anal fissures may be noticed by bright red anal bleeding on toilet paper and undergarments, or sometimes in the toilet. If acute they are painful after defecation, but with chronic ...
, a.k.a. an ulcer or tear near the anus or within the rectum
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Diabetic foot ulcer, a major complication of the diabetic foot
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Corneal ulcer
Corneal ulcer is an inflammatory or, more seriously, infective condition of the cornea involving disruption of its epithelial layer with involvement of the corneal stroma. It is a common condition in humans particularly in the tropics and the a ...
, an inflammatory or infective condition of the cornea
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Mouth ulcer, an open sore inside the mouth.
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Aphthous ulcer, a specific type of oral ulcer also known as a canker sore
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Peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a break in the inner lining of the stomach, the first part of the small intestine, or sometimes the lower esophagus. An ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, while one in the first part of the intestines ...
, a discontinuity of the gastrointestinal mucosa (stomach ulcer)
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Venous ulcer
Venous ulcer is defined by the American Venous Forum as "a full-thickness defect of skin, most frequently in the ankle region, that fails to heal spontaneously and is sustained by chronic venous disease, based on venous duplex ultrasound testing." ...
, a wound thought to occur due to improper functioning of valves in the veins
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Stress ulcer, an ulcer located within the stomach and proximal duodenum
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Ulcerative sarcoidosis
Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease, involves the skin in about 25% of patients. The most common lesions are erythema nodosum, plaques, maculopapular eruptions, subcutaneous nodules, and lupus pernio. Treatment is not required, since the lesions ...
, a cutaneous condition affecting people with sarcoidosis
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Ulcerative lichen planus, a rare variant of lichen planus
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Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a long-term condition that results in inflammation and ulcers of the colon and rectum. The primary symptoms of active disease are abdominal pain and diarrhea mixed with blood (hematochezia). Weight loss, fever, and ...
, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
* Ulcerative disposition, a disorder or discomfort that causes severe abdominal distress, often associated with chronic
gastritis
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It may occur as a short episode or may be of a long duration. There may be no symptoms but, when symptoms are present, the most common is upper abdominal pain (see dyspepsia). Other possi ...
References
External links
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Surgery